If Not First Myself

If I cannot, myself begin to love 

Whom God did love enough to grant this life, 

Then others, also gifted from above 

Will never know my heart to ease their strife.  

A tragic waste to never share the gift 

And roam about devoid of wisdom's light. 

The blindness from within casts me adrift 

Upon the sea, alone I'm not alright.  

To see the glory of your soul within 

And understand its value to the world 

To see beyond yourself can now begin 

Ignite for all, then God's light is unfurled.  

To start, look in the mirror, hold that gaze 

And see, through eyes divine, what Love portrays.  

Frank Garnick