Sunday, October 11, 2015

Always With Me


 I shed my skin

one layer at a time,
dry flakes falling
into teary puddles
on the barren floor.
My reflection
stares up at me,
and I don't recognize
the woman there.
Years have vanished
and child-like eyes
filled with wonder
wipe away mascara
as it slowly runs
down my cheek.
Somewhere in this
living vessel,
God speaks to me
of life and hope,
and somehow I know
that if I cry enough,
these tears
will carry me awa
to a better place.
Sometimes
in the midst of great pain,
there is God,
working to bring change
into a life that has
squandered precious moments.
I stare into the reflection,
and smile through my tears.
Filled with light and grace,
I know that God is with me.
He always has been
and He always will be...

even in my darkest hours.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Such a Pretty Face

Such a pretty face
God, how I despised hearing that!
You'd be a pretty girl if...
if...if...if...

What made people think
they could say such things
to a little girl?


I never felt good enough,
smart enough, pretty enough.
No wonder I wanted
to be someone else,
hide in my own little world,
never share who I was.

Today I see teenage girls
trying to fit in
by being who they aren't;
Make-up and belly rings,
oozing sexuality
when they don't
even know what it is.

You can have me
they shout to every boy.
Then I'll be special,
know I'm loved,
know I'm pretty,
know I''m worthy
 and wanted


They starve to be thin,
or keep their heads
in  a toilet
when nobody is looking.
They stare in the mirror
with gaunt, unhappy faces
and wonder why
they still feel alone.

How I wish
I could wrap my arms around them,
tell them they're special and beautiful
just as they are,
that they don't need a boy
to be valuable;
How I wish I could make them see
the beauty that lies within
just waiting to be set free,
like a butterfly.


                                                 Photo by Cheryl A. Williams, 2013