You are beautiful, no matter what they say…

After dressing up for an important event

She peered one last time in the mirror with the intent

Of making sure that she was looking good

But she did not get the reassurance she hoped she would

Such was the conditioning of her mind

That flaws in her appearance she would always find

Such that she could never consider herself to be

Beautiful- her imperfections were what she would always see

*

She gave wings to her imagination

And thought of a hypothetical situation

Where every girl and every woman would

Perceive herself as beautiful, like she should

What a seismic shift it would bring

In a world that sells innumerable things

To improve women’s external appearance

Exploits their insecurities, robs them of confidence

All the beauty products come with this message hidden

You are not good enough as you are, women..

If women thought they were beautiful anyway

The entire fashion industry would collapse in a day

And if women felt beautiful they would support each other more

They would be a force more powerful than ever before

If women thought they were beautiful, they would face

The world with confidence, claim their rightful place..

*

If only every girl and every woman could perceive

Herself as beautiful, the world would be a better place, I believe