Poetry: To My Imaginary Daughter

Mi vida,

I love you like nothing else in this universe.

I hope you inherit my curls and maybe my eyes,

But please not my rebellious, impatient temper (or maybe yes?).

There are many things I wish to tell you,

So let me begin.

Learn as much as you can,

Absorb it all in like a sponge.

But, my love, live in fact and

Dream in fiction (where have I heard this before?).

There is no proof of God or Santa Claus,

So don't believe in them if you don't want to.

Society isn't perfect, so take everything it says

With a grain of salt.

There is no such thing as the ideal body,

But it doesn't mean you aren't beautiful (you are).

You don't need anyone else to be strong;

You're strong all on your own.

But if you happen to fall in love,

Let yourself love, baby, and let it

Flow through you. You will get hurt,

But remember, you're strong, so just

Pick yourself back up and move forward.

On that note, never have sex

But always make love.

Never settle for anything less than

What you want (or need).

You are entitled to nothing,

But the whole world is yours if you

Believe that you deserve it.

Do what feels right in your heart,

Follow it, but let your brain figure out

How to get from Point A to Point B.

Don't ever let someone make you feel inferior,

Not even yourself. You are a

Queen, a goddess in your own right,

And should revere yourself as such.

Celebrate and rejoice in your uniqueness;

Never feel ashamed to be the woman that you are.

I love you, mija.

Let your emotions wash over you like rain,

And may your words flow from your mouth like beautiful music

To all those lucky enough to hear

Your voice.