Read to by a robot on the interstate and a voice on hold

Spoken to from a chip placed beside my studded ear

Holding the control of the world with my fingertips on a screen

Speaking through a text without ever being seen

My ankles cram into high heels to accentuate my calves

Eyelids darken to give the allure of captivating innocence

Belly clenched tight for the shapelessness on a magazine

Breasts forced up from below to lead the public gaze astray

Face whitened with foreign creams every morning of every day

The children of my children will only use voice commands

Their wrist implants will take the place of credit cards

Eyeglasses and metal braces will be unrecognizable to them

Computer signals will replace the keys of homes of the past

Books and crayons will be told of only in stories, gone at last.

But no more.

No longer do I keep stride with the current

I break down these boundaries of the social rule

No more standing in the shadow of my skewed reflection

I free myself from the disguisement of my flaws

Showing the whole beautiful world that I make my own image laws!

I smile at strangers because it brightens our mornings

Laugh at my blunders and push towards self awareness

Messages I send are sent in the mailed with a stamp and signed with PS’s

When I give a compliment, I mean it and when I get one, I don’t roll my eyes

I avoid harsh judgement along with the pull of rumors and lies

I sketch in a notepad made with recycled paper

Spread out my own map when I travel the world

I lose the appearance of one who cannot be bothered

And instead welcome artistic critique and advice

I do not use the internet as an obsessive, powerful vice

When I speak to you, I say it aloud to your eyes

My bike carries me where my car used to drive

I learn with my hands, my feet, and my ears

Ask myself for an abundantly opening mind

And my reward?

Is that you are of my same kind.

Live Yourself.