I was waiting in line, biding my time, waiting for my friend who was late for our date

When I looked up to see… beauty

Like a splash of cold water walk by me, do you know what I mean?

Like some kind of Goddess walked in

And there she was not aware how everybody had stopped to stare

And I felt myself shrinking like grey seeping in

Counting the years, bringing tears, feeling late, out of date, wanting to hide, reside, elsewhere

But this is what I thought…

Just let yourself love her

Don’t get caught in your own self-loathing, don’t try to criticise her face, her form, her clothing

Just love that beauty exists like this

Beauty abounding, resounding, confounding

Celebrate how the light in the room changed

How people were rearranged by this grace, this face, this space of light created

It’s killing us this self-critique, body hatred, feeling bleak

Don’t cut her out, isolate, judge yourself, medicate

Just open to her

Open to you, you wild gorgeous flower, shine that right through

Say hello

Soften your heart

Say yes to the beauty

Soak it in

And take part