poetry / writing prompts

Better on the inside

Chris Hall52 Comments

~You’ll never be beautiful
(my mother said to me)

~Don’t take it to heart
(I said to myself)

mantra

choose your viewpoint shrewdly
it’s what’s inside that counts
discriminate accordingly
a kind heart trumps a pretty face

it’s what’s inside that counts
true beauty’s from within
a kind heart trumps a pretty face
seek out a splendid soul

true beauty’s from within
look for what’s beneath the skin
seek out a splendid soul
marvel at a brilliant mind

look for what’s beneath the skin
discriminate accordingly
marvel at a brilliant mind
choose your viewpoint shrewdly

Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #66 photo prompt.

Teslariu Mehai @ Unsplash
The image shows a person wearing a paper bag over their head. The words  “Photo shop” are written by hand on the bag.

52 thoughts on “Better on the inside”

  6. So true! My mom would never say we would never be beautiful, but whenever we felt like we didn’t measure up to the “popular” kids, or the “prettier” girls, she would always tell us, “Well, you have other talents.” Something that has always stuck with me.

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    • That’s a kinder way of getting the message across. My mom has never been one to mince her words. At least I know when she says she likes something I’ve done, I know she’s telling the truth!

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  9. I think the pantoum form really lends itself to the message in this poem – sometimes we need to keep repeating affirmations to ourselves until they stick! The title is also perfect! Love this one!

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  21. It’s so easy just to go off first impressions, Chris, but that isn’t knowing anything at all. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover… fits with a lot of things.

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