Let’s redefine what it means to be beautiful and worthy of love.

Don’t abandon

the way it makes you feel,

the way it breaks your heart

to know

that though the stars

are out tonight

missiles also dot the sky,

The lines on my face tell the intimate story of a life well-lived. Of all the days wind whipped and sun stroked by the wild and mighty brush of the mountains. Of the water of my tears and a love so powerful it has carved beautiful canyons out of all of my losses. Of an unreasonable joy that shatters, like fireworks, from the corners of my eyes.

I allow the chaos to disrobe me

and shred the evidence

of who I once was.

All of my proof of self,

my arguments of worth,

abandon me now.

He thought he could erase you,
make you disappear from the story of humanity
and the dignity of all that matters.