I don't have to be perfect
there's someone out there
who doesn't mind the scars
and flaws, I just have to find her

Our flaws make us who we are,
At least, that is what I am told.
But if I wanted to change my flaws,
Would you deem that too bold?

I feel quite dismal, when I gaze.
When I look into the mirror.
My face is not astounding,
I see very little, I fear.

When I search my soul,
I also see little beauty there.
I think that if I could read thoughts,
I'd learn that few actually care.

My flaws do not make me happy,
They seek my constant attention.
I have flaws that are hidden,
Ones that I dare not mention.

I will change what I can,
That is all that I can do.
After that, I will accept the rest,
Then maybe I won't be quite so blue.

you do not need to fit in their beautiful
because it lies
that one size fits all.

you were not made
so powerfully, so tenderly,
so naturally
to smooth yourself into
a magazine cutout.

remember
you are not a puzzle piece.
the only place you need to fit
is inside that skin of yours.

The tiger pounced,
Arrived unannounced,
She's Chairman Meow,
Don't know how,
Here anyway,
What to say?
Fine thinking woman this,
Doesn't take any blip,
A femme of self-esteem,
A misogynist's dream!
All dance to her tune,
Is this a tiger moon?
"Yes, dear," men reply,
I only look and sigh,
Why can't I be like that?
Training men--old hat?
Really don't know how,
She's Chairman Meow.

Trust a liar
To equivocate.

Trust a thief
Won't discriminate.

Trust your government
To disappoint.

Trust Justice
To miss the point.

Trust your parents
Til you find a voice.

Trust education,
If you want a choice.

Trust your friends
To have your back, front and sides.

Trust your children
With your life.

Trust your partner,
Like no other.

Trust one's self
More than anyone else.

The next time somebody tries to treat you like you are worth less than a whimpering, beaten dog
Bare your teeth.
Snarl.
Growl, build the courage from the pit of your stomach and bark loud enough to be heard from the universe next door.
Do not stick your tail between your legs and cower,
Do not drop your head

Hold your head high, Pin your ears back
Lock eyes with those who beat you down and do not look away

You have been the one to lick your wounds
To calm yourself through the storms
And to get back up after every ******* fall

Do not treat yourself as a muzzled house pet
Do not let them call you by the wrong name and come running

You are a wolf
Shed your sheep's clothing and stand your ground

Be Heard;

I AM A ******* FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
I AM STRONG, I AM POWERFUL
I HAVE BEEN THE PROTECTOR AND I WILL PROTECT MYSELF
I AM WORTH MORE THAN YOU'VE SHOWN ME

The next time someone strikes you down
Strike back.

Take a few minutes
Each and every day
Stand in front of the mirror
Look at your reflection
And ask yourself a few questions

"How are you feeling today?"
Ask politely, pause for a heartbeat or two
"What's wrong?" With sincerity, mind you
Because no one is as strong as they think
"I haven't seen so-and-so for a while!
It's so good to finally meet up with them again."
Reminisce on good times long gone
Imagine the future he'll give you

"Do you really want to have to go through with this?"
Ask yourself, staring into your own eyes
Put down the razor and the skin cream
Put away the curling iron and the makeup
Give up the fad diet and the guarantees
Stop worrying about what your parents will say

Smile at yourself in the mirror
Wink and lean in close
So close your breath fogs up the mirror
Have a good long laugh
Send a few thoughts up his way

'Cause he's looking down from paradise
And believe me when I say
That God loves all his children as they are
After all, he did make you that way

if you took
the edge out of a storm,
you'd be left with a blank film;
no soundtrack of droplets,
no lightning
cracks of conflict,
no romance, from
air steeped in rain.

so if
you wiped away your childhood
scar, laced your
back up straight,
turned the volume **** on your opinions
and cried a little less -
what
would you be then?

if you softened all your angles
would you tell your story well?