So, I went to Detroit.

And I met this guy.
And I know how cliche and lame that sounds
(believe me, I do.)
But he was just.. different somehow.
He just walked up to me,
looked me directly in the eye and said, "Hey, you're beautiful."

And it was weird because I instantly looked away.
It was as though I couldn't handle his words.
So he said it again, "You're beautiful!"
And again I looked away.

After noticing my self-conscious habit he began to yell at me.
"Don't you f*****g look away! Look me in the eyes! I mean what I'm saying!"
And he stared at me the whole time.
Not once did his glance shift.
And he repeated the words until I finally worked up the courage to look him straight in the eye.
And at the time,
I just wanted him to disappear so I could go crawl in a hole and drop off the face of the Earth.

But looking back,
I think it was the most meaningful moment of my life.
It taught me more about myself than I'll ever realize.
I honestly think he had no idea the impact he had on me.

So, what I'm trying to tell you is this.
If I could, I would do the same for all of you.
I would hold your shoulders,
look you square in the eye and tell you how beautiful you are.
And it might be terrifying,
it might make you want to glance away.
But I really hope you wouldn't look away.
I hope you'd look me square in the eye.
Because it's the truth.
We are all beautiful.
We are.

The only difference is that not every stranger has the courage to say it to another.

Truthfully, I will never, ever forget that moment.
I just wanted to share.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

There is such a grace and natural flow to your writing. Few people can tell a story, make it sound like it's being told aloud and keep the grammar in check. And this is a hell of a story. I hope it's true. Even if it isn't, it's lovely.

[Richielee]

very very emotive and a 'kick up the backside' poem for all the self doubters out there,thankyou for writing this

[Stella Brooke]

this is so true ..n hey its well written :)

[Judy Ponceby]

What a fantastic moment and you tell lit so well