A Plea For Empathy From An Empathetic Heart

How can I explain with mere words
The way that my thoughts and emotions work?
When someone I love is hurting, I hurt too
As if their heartaches and burdens were my own

Many times the empathy I feel allows me to help
So there are times when this serves as a blessing
By putting myself through the pain and stress
I can often find ways to help them hurt less

To be able to be there for those I love means a great deal to me
I wish that there was a way for me to make you all see
Though I feel as if most haven’t even begun to discover
Just how deep my love, empathy, and compassion flows

There are times when the stress upon my shoulders crushes me
From the inside out, I begin to wear down
Sometimes people take advantage of my good heart
And their needs begin to tear me apart

It’s not always of malicious intent
From others that has my spirit bent
In fact, often times many are oblivious
To the state of exhaustion I’m in

Now and then, I find that I need to take a step back
To renew the mental and emotional strength I lack
As badly as I feel to tell a loved one no
Sometimes it just needs to be done

Often, I am left with an ache of wanting to give and do more
Giving comfort, support, and love is something I live for
And I feel as if I was put here to do just that
But if I ignore my own needs for too long, I become a mess

I ask that you understand when I need to take some time for myself
That you won’t think I’ve become rude, crass, and uncaring
There are just times when I have my own needs to attend to
But know that my love for each of you will always be strong and true