f/64

    Image: Charis, Lake Ediza, California, 1937 by Edward Weston

Take me as I am

unrefined and unretouched;

not a vessel to hold

your feelings,

or a mirror

 to reflect yourself back

to you.

Do not oppress me with your

need for perfection.

Accept my beautiful scars

and creases.

They are me.

Do not superimpose

your romantic notions on me,

but see me as I am:

brave, sharp, focused.

I will not flee;

I will not fly into the sun.

I am here.

Written for The Mag where Tess Kincaid provides a weekly writing prompt.  I highly recommend it.  

Notes: f/64 was a group of American photographers, including Weston, who usually set their lenses to that aperture to secure maximum image sharpness in the foreground and distance. In 1934 Weston  resolved to make only unretouched portraits.  This was taken in 1937, the same year Amelia Earhart disappeared.