This is a poem by Camila B., a 14-year-old freshman in high school.
By Camila B.
Sometimes you look in the mirror and The Uglies creep into your brain.
They’re little animals picking at your ears,
entering your head when you feel insecure.
They take over your eyes, clouding you sight,
They take over your mind, confounding your common sense
They scheme destruction, dining on your defeat.
Suddenly your face looks too tired,
Your lips too chapped,
Your teeth too yellow,
and your skin too pasty.
Suddenly your smile takes a U-turn
And your eyes lose their spark.
You look miserable, your heart beats faster, waiting for that darkness the Uglies blind you with.
There’s only one cure.
Close your eyes, count to ten and smile.
Repeat to yourself how wonderful you are,
and when your eyes open, picture the person you really are inside and out,
and thank God that the “Pretties” and “Smileys” and “Happies” overuled the “Uglies”, “Saddies” and “Frownies” before it was too late.