Do not tell me I am beautiful
If my scars you have not seen…
The scars on my arms and legs
From being stabbed and cut with blades,
The scars on my back from being whipped,
Or the scars across my stomach from being sick
Do not tell me I am beautiful
Not until you see
Both the darkness and the light
Consuming my mind, in a fight to be free
Do not tell me I am beautiful
Until you have seen me cry
When I break down and show you
Everything, I keep buried deep inside
Do not tell me I am beautiful
Until you know what plagues me
Night terrors and horrors
Please hold me… arms of safety
Do not tell me I am beautiful
If my fears you have not heard;
If my soul you do not understand
Because of pain I have endured
Do not tell me I am beautiful
Until you have cared for me ill
From diseases I was born with
As I fight to stay well
Do not tell me I am beautiful
If my scars you have not seen…
The ones burned deep into my flesh
And my very being
However,
If after you see all of my scars, learn of my fears
And listen to even a portion of what I have survived…
If after all of that, you still accept me and think I am beautiful
If you can kiss my scars without pity
And not be ashamed of me –
If you can see how all of them make me
The perfect woman, survivor and being
Then maybe… just maybe, I will believe you.
I will believe you when you tell me that,
“I am beautiful…”
I am a beautiful woman and human being.
Soul Seeds…
Whether they are visible or not… Every scar tells a story and is a part of who I am. Every scar is a mark of survival. Every scar reminds me that I am stronger than that which tried to hurt me or destroy me. Scars are beautiful and I am not damaged goods! Do not hide them or feel ashamed. Kiss and embrace each one, because they help make you the person you are today. YOU are beautiful, YOU are strong and YOU are loved!
Jessie Jeanine 
March 2, 2016 at 3:56 am
Powerful! Yes, every scar tells a story and every test leads to a testimony. Your testimony of all that you have gone through and your resounding faith in God will help many who remain broken and angry with God. God bless you, Jessie!!
October 9, 2015 at 4:38 am
Very powerful and inspiring poem. It has a great message in it.
October 9, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Thanks so much and I appreciate the re-blog! :)
September 29, 2015 at 2:49 pm
This is powerful, Jessie, and I don’t know how I missed it. I know a little about you, but not everything, and yet, I’d like to say that you are beautiful; you are a survivor; you are a wonderful mom; you are a special human being. I’m happy to know you even through cyber space and I continue to keep you in my prayers…I hope life is sailing smoothly for you and your daughter now, too…sending much love and many hugs…xo
September 29, 2015 at 6:27 pm
I’ve always kept you and your family in prayer as well Lauren. Perhaps one of these days we’ll sit ocean side over a cup of coffee and share some of our stories. If not, it’s enough to know we’re part of the same great big family and neat to think of how we might be sharing the same view while penning our poetry :) HUGS!
September 29, 2015 at 9:47 pm
Thanks, Jessie, and that sounds wonderful, but I agree about the great big family, too. Hugs back!
October 27, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Thanks for sharing your life with others Jessie. I know you are helping many people who have been through what you have been through. I am sorry for all of the pain you have had to go through in your life though.
October 27, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Thank you so much Tony. It seems like it’d all be worthless if I didn’t share it. Although scary, voicing it helps us heal, gives us strength and helps put some sort of purpose behind it. God can use it once we’re strong enough to let it go. I refuse to let it all be for nothing. Your visit and kind words are much appreciated Tony. Blessings!
October 27, 2014 at 12:09 am
Wow! You spoke for me there Jessie. I know it, I feel it, I’ve been there too.
October 15, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Your poem brings everything in perspective and deeply moving. Took me into the prime years I suffered…
October 15, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Thank you, and I’m sorry for what you’ve endured as well…
January 28, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Thanks for sharing…this is inner healing for the broke hearted and the will to rise above the storms.
McDaniels
http://www.graceology.org
January 12, 2014 at 3:29 pm
Survival is the key, and to be viewed that way, no victim ever felt the way a survivor feels. xx
January 12, 2014 at 5:02 am
This is the most moving piece I have read in quite a while. I am also a survivor of child abuse. I am sorry you have suffered so much. But you are strong and a survivor. You are a heroine and a goddess. Hugs and blessings, Barbara
January 12, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Thank you so much Barbara and I’m sorry for what you have gone through as well. It’s always encouraging to meet another survivor though, so I appreciate your visit. I hope to see you again ~ hugs and blessings, Jessie
January 13, 2014 at 1:45 am
I am here every day. I look forward to getting to know you better. Hugs, Barbara
January 12, 2014 at 4:53 am
This powerful writing. Thanks to Andy I found you.
January 12, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Well, thank you both! Receiving feedback from everyone, especially during a time of personal struggle, is like an answer to prayers. I take it as encouragement, support and confirmation to continue writing. Blessings to you both!
January 12, 2014 at 4:46 am
I note you list being a Christian first so your faith is very important. Did you ever wonder where God was when the abuse was happening?
January 14, 2014 at 6:17 am
Yes, I wondered all the time, especially while growing up. I would cry and scream and beg for the answers! I even went through a long period of hating and blaming God for everything that happened. Then I began to study His word and that’s when my faith became stronger.
I’ve written many different articles and poems regarding this very question. It is the basis of any evangelism I’ve been involved in. Hopefully, it is the core of His message that I help convey:
Friend or Foe?
Good Grief!
Why Must We Suffer?
Would I Ever Know Jesus?
*Perhaps the most direct and best things I’ve written regarding your question however would be these:
Where Is God When It Hurts?
Remember Jesus
January 14, 2014 at 6:22 am
Thanks I will read them and give you my thoughts on them
January 14, 2014 at 6:31 am
I look forward to it and will do my best to answer anymore questions :) Be well!
January 12, 2014 at 4:45 am
We are beautiful simply because we are human beings and in spite of our battle scars we soldier on.
January 12, 2014 at 4:40 am
Reblogged this on The Wandering Poet.
January 12, 2014 at 4:52 pm
Very much appreciated my friend! Thank you and it’s great to see you again :)
January 12, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Likewise! ^.^
January 12, 2014 at 4:38 am
Your words are so filled with so much power and inspiration, Beautiful! I’m not sure why or when I stopped following you, WordPress has been glitchy on me lately. Refolllowing again! :)
January 9, 2014 at 3:56 pm
So wonderfully written, and eloquently expressed. Who would have thought that such tragedy could knit such beauty.
January 9, 2014 at 4:59 pm
Beauty will rise from the ashes… thank you… xoxo!
January 9, 2014 at 7:34 pm
You (and I) are proof of that!
xoxo ~ Blessings to YOU!!!
January 8, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Wow, powerful and poignant, Thanks for sharing your wisdom Jessie.
January 8, 2014 at 11:35 am
The beauty of your words shows the power of the healing.
January 8, 2014 at 4:36 pm
I can’t imagine a more beautiful compliment ladies ~ thank you!
January 8, 2014 at 6:03 am
Hi Jessie,
Scars don’t change the heart and the soul, they don’t change our dreams and desires, they don’t change the willpower and the determination to erase abuse from this world. Yes they give us the fortitude and the forbearance to fight the darkest and the dreariest beastly minds around us, who deserve hellish fires for ages.
I can see all those scars…May I say, You are Beautiful?
Thanks for sharing a profoundly beautiful poem.
January 8, 2014 at 2:39 am
good to see this
January 8, 2014 at 2:21 am
Beautiful!
January 8, 2014 at 1:20 am
it’s funny how love works — it can manifest the inner beauty beyond the external
January 8, 2014 at 3:29 am
always… if you look for it
December 13, 2015 at 5:37 am
Jessie and Bill, deep insight! Keep seeing the beauty! God Bless you Richly and your mission. Bartholomew
January 8, 2014 at 1:07 am
This is really deep and has a great message, very well done! Really like these two lines right here, “Both the darkness and the light
Consuming my mind, in a fight to be free”