Reflection of Self
Those eyes are brown like the dirt of the roads
Those eyes are dull like a dying lamp
Those eyes are tired from night after night of working
Those eyes are broken from years of mistreatment
Those eyes are…mine.
That hair reacts to the slightest bit of water
That hair is a constant pain to comb
That hair is thicker than a bowl of oatmeal
That hair is difficult to tame
That hair is attention-seeking
That hair was black as the void of space
That hair is a faded flame; once red and vibrant, now dark brown and miserable
That hair is…mine.
This stomach was easy to fill
This stomach was easily satisfied
This stomach learned to hold still in place and look flat
This stomach suffered when eating wasn’t important
This stomach has issues with various foods
This stomach cannot hold more than a morsel
This stomach still knows how to appear flat
This stomach somehow has the beginnings of a six-pack?
This stomach is mine.
My skin is who I am and yet not
My skin has defined how I am seen and yet not
My skin causes me to question what I am and yet…
My skin once made me feel inferior and yet…
My skin is mine and I wouldn’t change it.
My mind reminds me that I could be better
My mind reminds me that I AM better
Better than how words made me feel
Better than how society views me
Better than how that devilish voice tries to convince me
Better than I could ever dream.
This body is a gift that I was tasked to care for.
This body is for me to cherish.
This body is mine and mine alone.