the measure of a person

There are times when it does not occur to me
That I am not measured by what I lack 
That inches and miles of beauty and dignity are interwoven with my spine 
Compose my heart’s beats 
Comprise each stubborn pimple and 
the callouses on my feet
Enshrined within the lines of the smile upon my cheeks  
Outlines the width of my hips 
curve of my lips
green in my eyes

Wrinkles on my forehead do not conspire
Traces amiss among the rich and famous
With delicate shapes and porcelain faces 
I do not wish mine to be steamed or smoothed or botulinumously removed 
Markers of the journey
Heralds of the time
Beauty is misleading,
I would much rather be wise
And though emotion is my ruler far too oftentimes
This does not negate the wonders of my mind

So be kind
Always be kind
For there have and always will be times when I do not do right
Despite the best intentions
We all make mistakes sometimes