Woke up late again.

Jump out of bed and fumble for the light.

Shuffle to the bathroom.

Brush teeth, wash face.

Jeans, t-shirt, makeup.

converse, glasses, watch.

Silver rings, braided bracelets.

My hair's a mess, toss it in a bun.

Ten minutes until I'm late.

Rushing past my cat, who purrs me a song

I pass a mirror

and stop.

My yellow Fire Fly t-shirt pops,

cat eye eyeliner shows off my eyes,

my cardigan hugs me.

A year ago I would have said,

"Shit. I look like shit."

I called myself "Shit."

Yesteryear that girl was there

that daughter, that sister,

that person.

But she wasn't skinny

she wasn't athletic

she wasn't popular.

This year that young woman is here

that sass master, that child,

that almost-graduate.

Today I see Me.

A musician, a writer,

a photographer, a friend.

And she isn't "skinny"

she isn't athletic

and she's pretty sure she's not popular.

But I like what I see.

I am beautiful, and I am sincere.

I am Me.

I look in the mirror,

and I like what I see.

I'm late.