The Light Within

4/9/13

Lansing, MI

I pledge allegiance to myself

And my inherent worth, no proof required.

I don’t need the approval of a culture

That tells me I’m not thin enough unless I’ve got an eating disorder.

I refuse to compete with other women

About things I own, what I drive and whom I’m dating.

My riches are in the love and support I share with my friends,

The best proof of God in this world if you ask me.

I don’t have to give in to the impossible demand

To always be sexy in the eyes of others

But not enjoy myself too much.

I don’t even have to have sex

If I don’t want to. And I don’t have to feel guilty for that.

I don’t believe that I’m ugly

Simply because I’m bombarded daily with images of airbrushed women

In order to generate revenue for the beauty product industry.

I’m not letting that hustle dictate my self worth,

When I know I am my most radiant when I’m at peace with myself.

I’m a woman living in America today,

And I don’t have to give up my values, my integrity, nor even my anger-

Just because a man I love doesn’t agree with me.

I’m not a prisoner to pleasing others or their preferred image of me anymore.

I pledge allegiance to myself

And my inherent worth, no proof required-

And I look at last to the light within.