... well... honestly... This morphed into something unexpected... The first line was actually inspired by what a friend who I look up to as a sort of father-figure told me... He actually said I was 'beautiful'. (My own father has never even said that to me.) ...I have since gotten into the habit of stealing glances at my reflection in windows and mirrors, wondering if it's really true...

Originally, that was what this poem was *supposed* to be about, but like I said, it started changing into something totally different as I went along writing it... and I'm pretty sure I know why... but I feel like I'm being horribly presumptuous... posting a poem about something I'm trying to learn myself...

-Sm, 08/20/03

For my little sister,

you're only as beautiful
as you believe yourself to be.

Look in the Mirror

Look in the mirror with new eyes.
Know where true beauty lies.
It lives in everything you do,
not a mask you wear that others view.

Look in the mirror with new sight.
Realize that in you is a light
that will always shine and never die,
that strengthens Truth and conquers Lies.

Look in the mirror and see what's real.
Discard the Lies that try to steal
what you have and who you are,
a beautiful person and my brilliant star.