Don't drown in a river of shame
or in a sea of your own insecurities.
Save yourself my precious love.
Your shell was beautiful the day
you were born.
Your shell will still be so
when you release your final breath.

Wrinkles from the intense emotions that you felt so deeply,
Scars from the savage battles
you fought so bravely.
Evidence of a life lived.
Your map.
Your shell.
Beautiful, strong, magnificent.
You.