Happy International Women’s Day

You point out the curve of your stomach
and the ripple of your thighs, as if
these are flaws you need to hide,
when you look in the mirror
and see not good enough, please
remember that I see strong
hands, stronger willpower,
resilient heart, easy laughter,
kind eyes, fast wit. You are
delicate and wild, insane and
unpredictable. Accept your
complexity and depth and don’t
apologize for it. You are every
inch of the reason I count myself
so damn lucky to be a woman.

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I’m fine.. not

It should be okay to tell someone how you are, when they ask. The weight of their hand over yours should not feel like a ton. It should be okay for you to not be strong all the time. You should not have to answer “fine”, when you’re not.

Identity

It’s ok not to be a rose. You may not be the pretty one or the crowd favorite, but that’s because you’re one of the wild ones. You blossom and grow in unexpected proportions. And when people finally notice you, they won’t recognize you or know your name, but damn they will feel you. They will fall in love with your uniqueness and finally see the beautiful ambiguity that you are.

Realizations

You will learn that the most important conversations
are the ones you have with yourself.

Sabotage

You spend years reciting to yourself
all the things you hate about you.
Then suddenly, someone walks into

Measure

I am no number,
you could measure.
I am no zero, no ten,

The love you deserve

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be
loved in a way you feel you deserve.
You are not being selfish, inconsiderate or self-centered.
It is a beautiful sign of your self-worth.

The quiet magic of being

I have made peace with the mystery under my skin,

the stardust in my bones, the light in my thoughts,

the fossils and galaxies, my flaws and vulnerabilities.

I will remake myself everyday until I feel each cell awaken,

until I am better and unbroken.

Note to Self

There’s no point in looking outside for things you should have inside. It will only bring you harm. Don’t put your happiness in a stranger’s hand. No matter how long you’ve been with someone, unless you’re both open to it, you never really know them. And even when they are, you still don’t. So how can you let them guide you and follow blindly? Communication is key. Respect is foundation. Commitment is basic. Love? Love is like the cherry on the top. Or you really thought all of the couples you know that have been together for so long were so because of “love”? No, my dear. They’re together because they want to, because there’s those three things and a thousand more reasons to stay. Nowadays it’s harder and harder to find people willing to stay. So when you do, when you finally feel good with yourself and find that one person that stays throughout all seasons, you stay. It’s probably new to you and everything inside you tells you to leave, but don’t run away. Stay true to yourself, open and honest. Talk to them and listen. Respect them and commit. And when asked, tell people you’ve found love because, in the end, isn’t that what love is?
© Máh Lima