My mom tells me that she is so happy I came out pretty,
But as soon as she says this I am filled with a tremendous amount of pity.
You see in my eyes pretty is ugliness.
That does not come close to my overall happiness.
Because if pretty is a little 13 year old girl who leans over a toilet, hanging her head,
Throwing up the 20 pounds to not be considered fat, because that was her only med?
Or if pretty are the girls, who plaster their face in makeup like clowns,
So boys will awe over them like a king does seeing gold crowns?
Or if pretty is spending thousands of dollars for doctors to turn you into a Barbie
To rid yourself from all of the flaws that defines you as ugly?
Or if pretty are only slim, sexy, stunning and a sight to truly see?
Then pretty is far from what I want to be.

I would rather be pretty smart, pretty talented and pretty amazing.
With my creativity a compass, always sending me blazing.
I don’t want to be only a mere product of society’s standards
But grow into a powerful woman finding my own answers.
And when the day comes where I have a daughter of my own
I’ll tell her to not listen to the inevitable judgment that is thrown.
And that I am so happy she is much more than another pretty face,
Because if she is genuine and unique, that is something that I won’t want her to erase.