Because every time we think we look beautiful,

We're still dressed in our skirt

And, yes, according to those who have never seen anything but this,

We may look...beautiful

But for those boys who have been out there and have

Experienced the true form and potential of a pretty girl

We will never be anything but church girls

And "Oh, I like your dress"

My dress

For us who look at them and think of ourselves less

We stand beside them in the line at McDonalds and think

We will never be beautiful like them, no guy would ever

Want us cuz who would want us when you have...them

The envy that courses through our veins when

We see them so easily climbing trees and fences, straddling

Boyfriends and benches

Because God made our bodies-not to be hidden under

Sacks and bags like we're ashamed

He made us to embrace ourselves and display the original

Creations that He has made, not to hide under the

Unworthiness of self-confidence and live in shame

Like being born Amish and growing up Plain

At least they have Rumpaspringa and

Get to choose their own way

We're forced to live a life we didn't choose

As of now, I'd rather follow dear Dr. Seuss

"You have brains in your head, you have

Feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose"

And I choose to be beautiful

Yes, I believe in those phrases such as...

Beauty is in the eye of the one who beholds

At the end of every rainbow there is a pot of gold

Every monkey has its idol, and yes,

If you're beautiful within, you will be beautiful without

But I also believe in enhancing your natural beauty,

Doing your part to help yourself, dressing attractively

As a young lady, and not wearing ugly clothes

Because wearing ugly clothes does not help you look attractive

And wearing skirts does not help you feel beautiful

Making my own choices, maybe I would wear skirts sometimes,

Because they can often be pretty

But to wear them all day, every day, every month, every year, all life

Long, long, shapeless, unattractive skirts

It is really a pity

No matter how pretty

Beautiful, actually

Beautiful legs

Slipping and sliding with ease into the legs of these jeans

Looking down at, not a mass of sameness, but

An individual shape and size

Comfortable with the sight of my knees and thighs

I feel...beautiful