The Beauty Within... v1 (Original)

Remember words can hurt those less fortunate than you..

Maybe I wear glasses, or I have crooked teeth
I may be short and ugly, clumsy with two left feet
Because you can't get past this to see what lies underneath

You're unable to see the real me, the beauty within my soul
But I have qualities inside that are more beautiful than yours.
Your beauty's only skin deep, while mine goes through and through

While you grow old and ugly, my beauty will always shine
Greed and lust has guided you, while I've been generous and kind

So all your words to hurt me and demean my character
Will soon come back to haunt you when you're old and vain
And your hair is thinning, no longer a beauty queen

Author's Note

I wrote this after listening to a story on CNN about bullying, I could relate very well to this, I wasn't popular in school growing up, I was short, clumsy, had to wear glasses, & I had crooked teeth. Was constantly taunted, I buried myself in books, music and art, but you should have seen their jaws drop when I went to our 15 year class reunion, I'd left that ugly duckling behind. But I never allowed looks to be what prompted me to find friendship.

Reviews

[Peggy Gildon]

I still think of those bullies who thought they were better than the rest and refused to see what was inside. Your poem expresses very well the pain then the gain. Beautifully!

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I too went through this transformation. I remember being called a dog in school by the same guys who asked me out later. Beauty is only skin deep and if there is no beauty on the inside, that beauty has a lackluster shine. Well written.

[Daytonight]

Well done. Too many people are so shallow that they only see a person's outward appearance and miss out on the opportunity to know or love a wonderful person. Keep on penning!