They wanted my eyes, but they wanted me to turn a blind eye; they craved the sparkle in my gaze, yet feared the truths I might see. They desired my lips, but not the thick tongue with political discussions slipping off of it; they longed for the shape of my smile, but not the weight of my words.

They wanted my skinny fingers, delicate and nimble, but they did not want the words that fell out of my pen; they admired the grace of my hands, but not the power of my thoughts. They wanted my body, the vessel that carries me, but not my soul; they sought the shell, but not the essence within.

They wanted an empty vessel, but I am full of soul, overflowing with dreams, passions, and convictions. I am not a hollow being to be molded to their desires; I am a tapestry of experiences, woven with threads of resilience and spirit. They may seek to strip me of my essence, but I stand firm, whole, and unapologetically me. 🙏🏾❤️

©️Beatriz Esmer