you teach me on a daily basis
that i do not have to chase perfection
to the corners of existence
to the places where reality and dreams mix and mingle
and that beauty is present
even where the mirror on the back of my door cannot show it
you laugh when i criticize myself
because you do not understand where i derive these insecurities from
you simply say,
"but you're beautiful"
and i offer a small smile in return
that stare of yours pierces me to the very core
drags me by the forearm, dances me around, and devours me whole
all i can see are your hands and i find myself retracing the paths they have taken across my skin
and im grazing my own lips, trying to recount every single time they've come in contact with yours
you may not explicitly create a sense of self-worth
inside my twisted little head
but you remind me with every passing day
that i can find it somewhere deep inside myself
and so i do