An ode to me....

I am just absolutely and wonderfully made.

Walking past a mirror and i stop dead in my tracks

Who on earth is that stunning gorgeous woman that is behind me?

I whip around and see no one

I walk back

Face the mirror and see myself

Then the smile...

Its me

With hair black and pulled back into a ponytail

Doesnt cascade in bouncy curls down the middle of my back

But its mine and its thick and full and past my shoulders

Brown eyes that crinkle at the corners when i smile

Some say, i will get crow's feet early

But i dont care

For my eyes are a mirror to my soul

A reflection of all i feel

My nose

Cute as a button

Used to wish i had a fulani type nose like Oyinkan

Slim and pointed

But this little nose is my mom's nose

My lips almost always smiling

Not the fullest lips in the world

They dont reduce men to zombies when i pout

But the words that come from these lips

Soothing words, smart words, insane hilarious things, dumb things

And my smile - all me

My lips made for kissing that one i hold dear

My neck

Not long and lean like i sometimes wish it was

But it holds my head up

I can turn my neck left, right, up, down

Which is a blessing in itself

As so many people wish they could

My arms and my hands

Not skinny like i crave sometimes

But they have magic

For in these arms i have held people that needed comforting

My arms are always ready with a hug for anyone who wants one

My hands clasp tight to things i hold dear

They gesticulate madly and animatedly when i talk

All me

My fingers - not thin

But i consider them cute with the little nails attached

That have people asking me if they are real

I dont need artificial nails cos God has blessed me with cute strong nails

That come in useful to scratch my MTN recharge card

Or to graze the skin of someone i am flirting with

Or in the heat of passion, the rake down his back

My breasts

Not as itty bitty as i wish they were

For i have passed the age when the attention was a thrill

But the words of envy from other women

That would pay thousands of dollars to be as well endowed as i am

For these breasts are a symbol of my womanhood

To nurture my babies when the time comes

My waist

Not 24 inches like the models in the magaizines i read religiously

But i see my waist as a testament that i am human and fallible

That i need to exercise and monitor closely my food intake

But where it used to consume my every waking thought

I realise that people dont see me the way i see myself

That when i am hugged and arms wrap around this chubby waist of mine

Its more comforting than feeling bones through a shirt

My back

Well i dont see all of it

But what i see of it is smooth

But my back is more than smoothness

It sit up straight when i notice my back slouching

When i have been working too hard, its starts to hurt

Letting me know i need to lie down

My thighs

Not in proportion to my upper body

Wondered and used to wail to the heavens about the injustice of it all

Why cant i find a dress that fits right?

Or why must a suit fit on top but drop to my ankles at the bottom

But now, these thighs make me smile

All flawless brown skin

For they do not see the sun

So the skin is soft and supple

And during my workouts, i realise how strong these thighs are

Making lower body workouts a breeze

My legs

Not 36 inches of brown legs

But they carry me around

Up and down the stairs

My legs move when i want to dance

And on those rare days when i wear something short

The gasps at the sight of my luscious, smooth legs

Make me smile

My feet

Almost the favorite part of my body

My beautiful feet

Pampered and spoiled with regular pedicures

Little toe nails always painted

Favorite colors are shades of deep red

And when these feet slide into any of the fabulous pairs of shoes

They change all of me

They become sexy and minxy in 4 inch strappy heels

They walk with purpose and power in 3 inch power pumps

They become carefree and girly in flats and slippers

And they become militant in trainers

All of these body parts

Beautiful on their own

But together - stunningly gorgeous

All me

Absolutely wonderfully made in God's image

And beautiful