I lie here tracing my own skin
Drawing invisible lines between
My freckles so meticulously placed
Because who will marvel at
The contour of my wrists
And the sharp edges of my hips
If not me?

I'm learning to love
My words not only
As I am breaking
But also as I am
Finally blooming

Just because I'm a man
Does not mean I don't possess
Every ounce of beauty that the
Flowers growing at my feet do.
Just because I'm a wave ever
growing
changing
flowing
Does not mean I am not a mountain
Strong and steady
Demanding the attention I know that
I deserve
Not because I am a man
But because I am human

I'm slowly learning the art
Of being selfish with myself
And not other people

I'm trying to take care of myself
The same way I take care of
The plants on my windowsill
With patience
With a gentle hand
And the idea that nothing grows over night

before her
fall in love with the feeling of
your own skin
marvel at the light hitting each contour of
yourself, inside and out
her name on your lips
cannot, will not mend you until
you learn to adore
the color of your own eyes
and the feeling of your own hands intertwined

I am learning to adore
And not despise
That which came before me
I am starting to understand
That this is not my home
I am just a visitor
And visitors do not disrespect
Their host