Standing in this shattered mirror
the rough edges of glass blur the picture
but in my head, I see it clearer
the rolls that hang to my sides
the lines that mark my thighs
my sunken smile, my hopeless eyes.
I haven't always seen myself this way.
When I was little I used to be able to carelessly play
with my friends who did not notice any
difference between me and them.
But then we got older and those differences
became a dead end.
It's hard to live in a world where I'm surrounded
by perfection from every angle,
magazine, and network on my television.
Why can't I have the soft skin, straight teeth,
tight stomach, and toned thighs?
The questions roll over and over in my head
when I lay in my bed.
The words thrown from sneering lips
"You're fat"
"You're gross"
"Look at the jiggle on her hips"
The words only cut deeper
like a blade
leaving the scars that became clearer
indications of my hateful self.
Maybe I do need help.
A day came around
where I discovered something I wish
I had found.
Faith.
A magical mystery that gave me strength.
To believe in myself, my body, my life.
No need to hide because there is a much
bigger force on my side
than hateful young girls who can hide
behind computer screens to try
and hurt me.
I learned to love myself the way my creator
loves me.
Because I am a creation of divine perfection
which was intricately crafted to be me.
Every curve, every mark, every jiggle, is all part
of His art.
So NOW I stand in front of myself, happy, whole
and full of self LOVE not HATE.
Because I have learned to appreciate
this temple I have been granted.
I learned to love me, will you learn to love you?
