There is an urgency to be perfect here, and it breaks my heart

To become so beautiful and perhaps immune to the harshness of the world

Or to feel loved a little more, by the people one meets or the attractive stranger who has noticed you

So family members will stop criticizing each perceived flaw until a person is laid out flat like dough and their heart rolled over with their rolling pin

How does one look in the mirror and not see themselves

To see only flaws.

A grey hair, a tummy, a wrinkle, a blemish. Who cares.

To not know their own beauty.

To not know their smile and loving energy is the cure

We need this so desperately

It breaks my heart

I would like to tell you, we would like you just as you are

We enjoy the unique curves and shadows of your face and light in your eyes

Don’t you know love is as necessary as air?

Tell yourself you are beautiful

You were made to perfection for your mission

Here on this strange planet

Tell yourself you are beautiful, even if you feel awkward and lonely and scared

Tell yourself you are beautiful!

Your gifts are divine and the love you bring is the thing

Tell yourself your beautiful

Especially when others can’t, and poor them for not being able to see

You are remarkable exactly as you are.

With all my love, me.