Gracie Bawden Poet Free verse

Don'T Tell Me I'M Beautiful - Recited

Don't tell me I'm beautiful when I've done something different with my make-up
Don't call me beautiful because I've bought a new bra and you can see it through my shirt
And never tell me I'm beautiful
Because I've lost weight
Tell me I am beautiful
When I am brushing my teeth
When I have toothpaste on my chin from trying to talk to you at the same time
And all you can think about the whole time I'm talking
Is how you want to kiss it clean

Don't tell me I'm beautiful when I've done my hair the way you like it
Don't tell me I'm beautiful when I'm angry and you want me to stop being angry
Don't tell me I'm beautiful because I look good in heels
Tell me I'm beautiful because I look like I feel beautiful
Because my vertebrae are aligned like stars tonight
And I can't, stop, looking, up

Don't tell me I'm beautiful to brag to your friends
Don't tell me I'm beautiful to stop me from crying
Don't tell me I'm beautiful when I'm drunk, when I've packed my bag, when I'm leaving
Tell me I'm beautiful when I'm reading
And the words reflect in my eyes like fairy lights
And there is nowhere I would rather be

Don't tell me I'm beautiful when the door is locked
Don't tell me I'm beautiful with your trousers around your ankles
Don't tell me that I am beautiful when I'm on my knees
And if I'm not
Don't tell me I'm beautiful to get me on my knees
Tell me I'm beautiful when I am on my feet
When I am on my feet despite these goddamn bags under my eyes
Tell me I am beautiful when those bags look like hammocks and all you want to do is crawl inside
And fall asleep with me 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk0e0L0v8ag

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Chile D'Rhymez April 24, 2013 at 4:25 AM awesome write, well done.

Seren Roberts April 23, 2013 at 12:50 PM well done and loved your video..Seren

Kabuteng P.Ink K. April 23, 2013 at 12:30 PM Yours was such a very moving poem, Gracie and you have written here what some of us women feel sometimes, and I applaud you for this-- You read this in such a heartfelt manner, and it truly stayed with me-- I especially also loved the lines about your vertebrae aligning with the stars and the bags like hammocks-- super congrats to you! :)

Ray Dillard April 23, 2013 at 12:31 AM Gracie, beautiful poem, beautiful message, and a Beautiful young lady who is obviously talented. All the men need to heed the message....but if it's intended for one particular fella, you might consider looking elsewhere.. That's free advice from an old school teacher! RAY

Connie Marcum Wong April 23, 2013 at 12:29 AM Wow, you recited this with amazing grace and poise. A poem true to the heart of a lass who just wants to be loved for her true self, the way it should be. You are so wise for your young age and your inner light shines just as brightly as your outer light. I loved every verse of this brilliant write and I am saving it to my fav's as well as the video. Brava! and Kudos on your win!

Poet Destroyer A April 22, 2013 at 6:33 PM Gracie, :-) congratulations with your awesome Recited Poem.... Always~ PD

Roy Jerden April 22, 2013 at 5:44 PM Wow! I feel properly chastened, Gracie. Good recitation, quite intense. Please read and comment on my latest blog about this contest if you can. Cheers, Roy

Carrie Richards April 22, 2013 at 5:23 PM What an amazing poem, Gracie......I watched the recitation, and then reread your heartfelt words again here....emotional and so wise are these words. A poem to be heard by both men and women......women who demand respect and should recieve it. Well done!

Suzanne Delaney April 22, 2013 at 5:11 PM You are beautiful when you are reciting. LOL I love the line about when you are reading and the words look like fairy lights in your eyes. Congratulations.