Neptune

mind and body dancing under the rain

they talk and giggle

as drops hit the green, 

fresh grass 

as my eyeballs scan—up and down

looking for insecurities to hang on 

she notices, 

lectures me,

and states:

“hair might be wavy, straight, or even curly

though it braids itself, ideally, with any look,

any occasion and location 

“acne scars are just as beautiful as the makeup you got on,

each lightens up your face, 

all equally the same 

“maybe body hair is just there to keep us warm 

from the cold rules written on societal norms

“indian, melanin or mestizo skin shouldn’t single us out 

we’re humans too, 

even if they doubt

“you’re able to reach the sunsets,  

with your 4-feet-11-inch body, 

“and your wide hips fit anywhere, 

there’s no need to shrink

“don’t go by labels

and make sure you reject every and each one 

don’t welcome them

“since, 

and at the end, 

“it’s your body and your choice

it’s you who critiques and decides”

she ends with a wink 

and her speech actually made me think 

and realize that i’m due for a change 

which requires me to remain the same 

just a bit more accepting 

of the woman i ought to become 

this lady of the outer world 

must embrace her uniqueness 

she must go far and beyond this planet 

before seeking acceptance 

and she must claim her ground 

if put under a critical judge-bed 

or condition 

little do they know 

or are poorly aware of 

the facts and occurrences

in the past 

of this poor soul

which made her cast 

her sculpt

into a materialized ghost 

unrecognized by her mirrors 

and familiares y vecinos 

many times judged by her primos 

yet she kept who she became 

because of the burning flame 

that came 

with not fitting into the superstitions 

of who we now name

Society