The critic

One short plump nose

Two light blue eyes

One

Fat

Round

Heart

shaped face

with a tiny mouth

like a doll

a thick

And pouty

Bottom lip

Much like a boxer’s injury

In a long enduring

Fight-

A short

Squat

Neck

With a double chin

Nearly

Collapsing against a chest

I sit

In front

Of the mirror

And examine

My face

Against the hard

Cold

Background

Of the woman that I am

Supposed to be-

High heels rushing

In a professional suit

Compared to Converse sneakers

Or black Mary Janes

In vintage dresses

With cropped bangs

And tortoiseshell glasses

Sometimes

I wish that I were thinner

Or stronger

Or had an important job

Something that would make me

needed

something that would make me

wanted

But I am content

With who I am

Secure in the knowledge

That I can be myself

No matter what happens

No matter who I am surrounded by

No matter what anyone else thinks

Or believes

Me to be

I know the truth