from wading in the shallow waters
of the world's perception of
beauty
she plunged into the "ugly" truth

she washed off the
layers of powdery pigments
with the hot tears tracing down her cheeks
she tore down the
expensive garments that draped her body
exposing her skin and bones:
worn and torn? yes
frail and fragile, no
she stands strong and sturdy.

now
she wears
her crimson wounds like golden jewelry
her beads of sweat like strings of pearls

she stands
firm on the truth
that beauty is more than just
pulling attention
by external attraction
it is pushing
past set expectations for
what is more captivating
than freedom
from binding limitations,
what is more glorious
than a revolution

dig down deeper
and embrace yourself
completely
there is more to beauty
than just being pretty