Blooming

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You are beautiful

and I'm not talking about that superficial beauty that can only be seen physically.

I'm talking about the beauty that the blind can feel,

that they can embrace.

The beauty that you've accumulated from years filled with struggle and hardship

years filled with the utmost growth.

There is beauty in how you've come out of everything with so much optimism in your eyes,

and hope in your heart.

Beauty knowing that despite all you've been through,

your stem is still standing tall, planting yourself so firmly above all of your triumphs.

you are still blooming - so gracefully blooming

But must be hard,

having everyone overlook the part of you that is truly extrordinary

to go your whole life thinking that you're only as good as the amount of times someone has called you "pretty",

to service society's innate habit of judging, labeling, and seeing the mere beauty that is on the outside

when you and I both know your worth is beyond the physicality of your petals

but within the soul of your stem.

Beauty is rooted in the soul

I'm sorry that all they've praised you for are your petals

focusing on the parts of you that are

so soft, so delicate, and so fragile

as if a simple touch of rain falling from the sky,

a push from the wind,

or the hands of the brokenhearted

can leave you whittling down to nothing.

I'm sorry that all they've praised you for are your petals

how they've overlooked the beauty that is your stem.

the beauty in its strength, power, & resilience

how despite what weather or hardships trying to bring you down,

you never fail to come out of it with so much grace

continuing to stand strong and grow from each and & every triumph.

I hope that one day you realize you're not only worthy of simply growing beautifully

but you are capable of standing with the utmost form of resilience

blooming so effortlessly

so fearlessly

I hope you see the beauty that lies within you