It gets easy to judge
Harshly
That little person we see in the mirror
Anticipating
What we will be judged for
With a list:
Acne
Bad hair
Yellow teeth
Baby face
Chubby
Fat lip
Dad bod
Strange shape
Stalky
Plain
Basic
Boyish
Small
A list to be corrected
Each morning and night
As part of our reformation
Into what we believe will protect us
From being rejected
And help us be loved
But
With this shallow view of ourselves
Where we have already rejected our own affection
How do we hope to love?
What have we missed so early on
With our own daily routine
Before anyone else has seen us?
Kind eyes
Smooth skin
Warm smile
Loving hands
Inner vibrancy
An inquisitive face
Endearing shape
Forgiving aura
Sweet
Approachable
Edgy
We cannot orphan ourselves
From our own affection
Like children we expect someone else to love
That lies first and foremost
With us to attend
Lovingly, constantly, gratefully
Ours