since when were we taught to hate ourselves?
our body, to hate the skin we were born in?
to hate the thickness of our stomach
and the freckles on our cheeks
to hate the curls in our hair
and the size of our thighs

since when was loving ourselves not right
not acceptable or appropriate?

since when was it okay to slice our thighs or our wrists?
to feel the blood ease out of our skin and run down our leg

since when was it okay to take our own life?
to sit in a bathtub and swallow ninety pills
to take a gun to our head without thinking about the regrets
to jump of a bridge thinking we can fly

but we can't
we shouldn't,
we shouldn't try to fly
we should think about the consequences instead

we should love ourself the way we are
we should love ourselves,
our hair and our eyes
the size of our waist
and the thickness of our thighs

we should take a breath
take a step back
and breathe
take your time and relax until you realize your worth,

your beauty
and ability
to smile.