we watch the world through weary gazes,

as the world watches us

through sharp, cruel scrutiny

and tells us we do not belong.

the shade of our skin,

shape of our eyes

our history,

our culture’s history,

determines our worth

but we are all born beautiful

and the greatest tragedyis being convinced we are not

my worth is something only i can decide

i will never be this version of myself again

i know my worth