Colour Me Beautiful

Brushstrokes moving over the empty canvas,
Words filling the blank sheet of paper.
I will cover the fingerprints you left on my body
With colours vibrant,
Lively and free flowing.
Like the sun rising over the ocean,
I, too, shall rise for a new dawn.
I will reclaim what you took from me
And turn it into something exquisite.
Something made by me, for me.
Something that belongs to me.
The sound of the waves splashing against my skin
Will drown out your laughter.
I will rewrite all the ways you disfigured me,
Made it shameful and unbearable.
I will paint my frame beautifully.
I will shape it in dignity and grace.
I will paint myself in new colours
For all the world to see.