As she looked into the mirror
she didn't see what she wanted to see
she didn't see what appeared in magazines
she didn't see what society considered "pretty"

She felt hopeless,
trapped in shackles,
buried in humiliation,
and she felt as if the world was against her

She covered her face
with her hands, her sleeve, her hair.
Her eyes were drawn to the ground because she was scared --
scared of catching someone staring at her imperfections

I was once that girl

It took me days, months, years
for me to build up confidence
for me to put my hand down, roll up my sleeve, pin back my hair
and show the world "this is who I am"

I learned to embrace my flaws
build up my confidence
and hold my head up high
because, why can't I?

I want you to know that
you are beautiful
and don't you dare
let anyone tell you otherwise