my mother told my sister she was starting to gain weight

maybe its because of my own struggles that she didnt want her to end up like me

my sister told me that she hates her hips

I hate that those words flew out of her lips

I think my sister is beautiful

even if we have our struggles 

I want her to know that she is perfect in every way

She should not let the world hold her down

becuase she is amazing

Like a caged bird we hold our sisters in

not letting them go as we scream to be realeased

we dont have any power though because we too are a caged bird

crying for help

We are muzzled

like a dog that has powerful words

that can not be heard

My sisters curls bounce in the wind

with bows in her hair

she is happy

like a butterfly, she closes herself in

and when she finally comes out of her cocoon

she is changed

not thinking but knowing she was no longer beautiful

why do we teach our kids that they are not beautiful

why do we let them crop their pictures so that

they conform to what everyone thinks is acceptable

why dont we stand together and say no to your 

stupid beauty standards instead let us 

break out of our cages

bark as loud as we can 

and spread our colorful wings because we our beautiful

in our own special way