There is no filter that can capture true beauty. To my little sister, who sent me this picture and became a muse to these writings…
Beautiful, when you were bornNow, fullness of curls, thick hipsA black rose full in bloom
Your laugh always ended in a curl
Fighting conformity effortlesslyForming musical notes, perfectly
I spoke to you as a gemstoneI said never change your skinonly find yourself within it
See it as the perfect sunsetwith different shades and huespainted on the outside of you
Appreciate the rawness of truthFight the lies, contouring featuresthat make-up restrictive dreams
The mirror is not a driving testBeauty does not need a pass markSmash projected imagery in half
Whilst doing so, become wholeYou are beyond this realmwith understanding of your soulChoose wisdom over vanityChoose humility over prideChoose yourself over societywith divine permission to thrive
But most of all choose loveto be the response to thosewho cry at night wishingto be born someone else
Who look at their face, contorteddue to shame and rejectionof something once called beautifulWho pinch and taunt and flexand squeeze and breathe in tightly,just to perform acceptance of self
Be that woman, who is quietwhen everyone else is loud,moving freely to your soundBe her, for everyone who livesin the highlights, waiting to becomesomeone behind a box of brushes
Become a catalyst of confidencefor those who hide every morningSay “I’m beautiful, just this way.”
