raw aesthetics

by laurenflo

 

photos create an alternate reality

where the distressing elements don’t exist

and the pleasant ones are highlighted like accomplishments.

 

 

extracting all contact,

they trade embrace for examination

conversation for correction

appreciation for approval.

 

 

I avoid all photos of myself,

my face causing

d i s t r e s s

e m b a r r a s s m e n t

a n x i e t y

 

 

instead I upload photos of places I’ve been to

I hide from the world

by pretending i’ve seen all of it

 

 

but when the veil of the social spread of our photos is lifted

we are left bare

stripped of the digitally-enhanced features and facts

with only our own raw aesthetics to show who we truly are.

 

 

we suddenly become exposed to the harsh slap of criticism,

but when the artificial parts of ourselves are abandoned

we are no longer sensitive to the abuse.

 

 

because the raw flesh of our minds and souls

cannot be torn apart

by the

p l a s t i c

m o l d a b l e

and eventually c r u m b l i n g

world views of who we are supposed to be.