There's a space in my heart shaped
like cloudy skies and rain- spattered glasses.
It's shaped like breathless,
sweeping green and
trees as high as my hopes.

Someday maybe that space will be filled.

I used to think I wasn't pretty.
my legs were too big,
my body too tall,
my face too round.  

Then, others started telling me the same.
That I deceived them with my photos
and lied with my camera.
That I told untruths with angles and lighting.

*******.
My face is beautiful, and it is mine.
My legs are strong and healthy.
I walk tall with my head high.

My camera. My lighting. Mine.

I choose the angles and the lighting to tell my story.

My hips are wide and ****.
My hands are deft and sure.
My skin is soft and fragrant.
And they're mine.

Not yours.

Go sell your self-loathing to someone else.

I'm not buying.

I don't want you to go
I can't stay, either
so here

here's a piece of me.
carry it always.