Self-Portrait by Sophie Carr

I love sunrises. I love sunsets. I love The feeling of rising my arms in the morning, Holding that deep and never-ending stretch, Rubbing my tired eyes. I love the act of splashing my face with crisp cold water, Feeling my eyes brighten, widen. I love The act of opening my silly little tube of mascara, Painting my eyelashes and seeing their color darken. I love dabbing my fun little peachy pink stick along my cheekbones, Looking lively. I love gliding my favorite lipgloss along my lips, An act that feels ever so familiar; I love being feminine. I love Putting on my favorite pair of Levis that fit my legs so well, nearly perfect. When my soft hair frames the edges of my face, Maybe I even love realizing I am beautiful. I love Sunday mornings as the aroma of steamy hot coffee moseys its way into my nose. I love drizzling syrup along my pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes. I love slicing up mounds of fresh fruit for my family, The sweet, juicy flesh melting in my mouth. I love spending Saturday afternoons at Grape and Bean, Laughing carelessly among my coworkers, All older and different, but that doesn’t matter Because we have just that one thing in common. I love the feeling of layering on the chalk that binds my hand to the bar.