they say pretty girls
pretty girls don't cry
their eyes are dry and dusted pink
and they shift too quickly
before you can drown in their depths
and see the shattered colors beneath
or the words they are choking on
they say pretty girls
pretty girls don't eat
they count the calories
they think and think and think
too much
too big
until their stomachs are flat and aching
and they carry pebbles in their pockets
and clouds in their head
and syrup is flowing through their veins
and their hearts are stuttering and pleading
inside a chest stuck too far out
they say pretty girls
pretty girls don't speak
they take what is given to them
with open palms and shaking lips
even when glass is shoved down their throat
and blades flung at their bodies
and bruises on their thin wrists
and the color has drained away
they are girls of loose seams
and scattered pieces
and their voice is just a wisp
a shadow of smoke
from the flames that set their hearts on fire
they are burning
you want to be a pretty girl?
they say
shatter and break
until you can no longer remember the meaning

you are beautiful just the way you are. never allow anyone else to tell you what beautiful is. the definition is yours. you deserve better. eat. eat and be healthy. cry. scream. tell the world, you are a pretty girl. more than that, you are the most beautiful girl in this world, or the most beautiful boy, or the most beautiful person, and you don't need anyone to tell you anything. you deserve better. you are beautiful. nothing will change that. and they certainly can't. don't let anyone hurt you. you are too precious. if they don't make you happy, if they cause you pain, if they hurt you and take advantage of you, if you aren't being respected, and if their happiness comes at the expense of yours, leave them.

You. Deserve. Better.

You are worth so much.

And you are so beautiful.

Eat and stay hydrated.

I love you.