A Love Letter To My Body

To my hands

For holding the ones I love

For making fists when I need

For drying tears and picking flowers

To my arms

For holding babies

For holding each other

For holding myself when I don’t want anyone else to

To my legs

For carrying me up mountains, through rain

Around new cities

Away from danger

To my thighs, that have been referred to as thunder

I’ve always loved lightning storms

For the scars

A map of historical landmarks

Of sports played and mistakes made

Holding secrets between me and myself

A show of strength

A show of survival

The birthmark on my right thigh

An homage to my mother

For carrying me for 9 months

And doing it again 3 times over

Stretch marks

Like rivers and valleys decorating my landscape

Show me how much I’ve grown

my ability to withstand change

Resilience

To the mole next to my left eye

My mom always called you a beauty mark

And I’ve never thought any less of you

Dear body,

I’m sorry for all the times I didn’t love you

That I tried to change you

That I spoke poorly of you

I know you were doing your best

I see that now