I was once told

that my smile

was my greatest

attribute.

 

But then

I was told

that my ass

was my finest

feature.

 

I heard

that I was strong

and

I heard

that I was beautiful

and I heard

that I was a woman

worth adoring.

 

But

I didn’t hear

that I was loved

even though

the three words

were said

more than once

twice

a million times

by

perhaps

the wrong ones.

 

All I heard

was what

I didn’t need

to hear.

 

All I needed

was

what I couldn’t–

wouldn’t–

hear.

 

All I needed

was

I love you

by

You.