Reflection

For too long
I would
Snap a photo of
My father's daughter's
pretty painted face
So quick to add a filter
Not wanting to show
The real her
That I wake up to every morning
Covering the scars
And blemishes
To find the  perfect version
Of the perfect "self"
Spent too much time
Not knowing
That truly growing
Means having a life
With no filtered smiles
Growing up
Means throwing out
The fears
That yesteryear's
Brushes
Are your primary colors
Thinking that how others
See the you of you
Holds more value
Than the eyes in the mirror
Being true to who
You have become
Means finding value
In all the versions of you
Now, I  snap a photo
of my father's daughter's
Pretty face
So quick to add a smile
Knowing that I'm still growing
That the face
I see
Is the definition of beauty
Not an empty hunt
for perfection
But the reflection
of hope
Behind warm brown eyes
Beauty isn't
The curvature of
the ideal nose
Or perfect skin
It's being happy with
the body you live in
It's seeing that face
Looking back at you
in the mirror
And have no objection
About your reflection