Acknowledge, Proclaim

I am Beautiful
Talented, and Worthwhile.
So much more
than the mere parts that
people see, and the
stereotypes
they fit me in.

I am Beautiful
and Strong.
My tears
do not
make me weaker.
Yes, they prove
that I can fall down,
but also that I
learned the lesson,
picked myself up again.

I am Beautiful
and Tenacious.
Though I may not have
reached the peak yet, I will
never give up
aspiring to it
taking steps
toward it
no matter how slow
or painful.

I want my dreams
that badly.

I want them to
abandon
their wispy state.

I want them
to realize their
solid form
sturdy, dependable
Reality.

I am Beautiful
and I Still Believe.

That people
are inherently kind

Truth
always prevails

Good character and
gracious ways
still count for so much

And that
True Love
isn't only
found between
the pages of
faerie-tales,
or
reserved
for the lucky

Salsa Night Two (un-haiku'd)

Watching the smooooth

quick, clever couples

dominate the floor

can only succeed

in making me feel

more the klutz

Would you be amazed

outraged

to find that some men

simply won't ask you to dance

should they deem it worth their time to

assess you

and find you oh-so deficient in skill?

Amusing

but they certainly take time

to play the game of

avoid-eye

with you.

To this nonsense I address the following:

Las Personas Ostentosa y

Arrogante

Cuidado!

I'll remember who you are

Should you change your mind

You know

in that future

where I'll

eventually

get very, very

good at this

Constant practice

begins to wear down

both me and my resolve

but

no matter.

I will master

all the dulce

picante tricks.

I'll just have to remind myself

on the journey to

becoming muy rica

that latin dance is just

as much about attitude

as it is about know-how