Closed Poem by Nia Lewis

I'm going to tell you a knock-knock joke
ready knock knock
three little words
beautiful pretty gorgeous
they are
knocking at my door
should I let them in
I mean should I believe these things
are they even worth anything
I was that girl who said
Oh mommy I'm gonna be just like her
beautiful pointing out the symmetrical
model on the billboard
I was that girl always outside
seeing the pretty flowers
blowing side to side
I hated being indoors I hated turning the cold golden doorknob
to go inside the door
I was that girl who was told you're so gorgeous
and accepted that compliment
until somebody...why can't I just get a snow cone
in peace it's so hard for me to
believe in the three little words
I'm knocking at my door
when uncivil terms are being thrown my way
he doesn't understand that I am thirteen
he looks at my body and sees
curves but the only curve we should look
at is my smile he looks at me with lust
that teaches me nothing about loving my
body and instead of the sparkle in my
eyes he sees an opportunity
he knocks at my door
his words make me uncomfortable
uncomfortable to wear what I want to wear
uncomfortable my body uncomfortable
I have another joke that isn't all that funny
of the 13 year-old girls in the United States
53% don't like their bodies,
and that number goes up to 78% by the time they're 17
to understand the meaning of acceptance
it's one simple action can make me feel so small
I want to walk like I have a purpose
I want to where leggings or yoga pants
I want to let my curves
I want a proper greeting not just some hiss
I want to open the door but instead I'm hiding behind it
now I have another joke
that isn't all that funny
knock-knock respect
respect me you must respect that I'm
I'm intelligent smart african-american
respect for my hips lips and respect for my hour glass body
respect for my flaws
you must understand that a
body is just a body
a silhouette isn't a definition of a woman
you fall in love with a woman's flowers
but you've never looked at our roots
our beauty not our breasts or blood but our beauty inside
I am Nia Celine Lewis whose name means purpose
I'm a girl with a big kind heart
not another big booty Judy
I am the girl who has a sweet loving smile
I am the three little words
knock knock
beautiful, pretty, gorgeous
I am I am beautiful
And I am all of you