Beyond the Lense

Beyond the Lense

Wide nose, blotchy skin, acne, and squinty eyes. 

This is what I see when I open my camera application.

These features do not make me, yet they glare at me, taunting me.

They say I will never be that Victoria's Secret model, or the pretty girl in my algebra class.

They say I will always be the same ugly little duckling, too shy to say a word.

But then I look deeper, and I know I am so much more than my genetics.

I am strong, I am independent, and I am a fighter.

My wide nose will never tell anyone of the tests I've aced.

My squinty eyes couldn't begin to describe how committed I am to my cheer squad.

My acne has no way of letting on how hard I worked since the fifth grade to understand mathematical concepts.

My blotchy skin hasn't told a soul how loyal I am to my loved ones, and how I would go to the ends of the earth for them.

I have built my walls up, always on my guard. 

A selfie will never tell you, though, that once someone gets past these walls of mine, I love with no hesitation, my devotion knows no bounds. 

So go ahead, judge me on my physical appearance as I know many will.

I cease to fret over this because I know what I am and I know what I am not, 

And if you ask me, I'm pretty good just the way I am.