Naked.

This morning I went to field placement and there were kids that had been out on Monday, so half of them didn't know who I was. The one red-headed boy looks at me with a gaping mouth and asks the little girl next to him in a very loud whisper, who's she? That's Bella, she tells him, she helps us. I smile at him. Oh! She's cute, he says. And then proceeds to stare at me for the whole portion of the morning before we split off into leveled classes.

La just informed me via her boyfriend that I had a picture of a naked woman on this blog. I have removed it, but as a disclaimer, I didn't know it was there.
I will tell you some things about myself.
I like flowers. Big, blooming pink ones, and tiny white ones. I make stories. I have the uncanny habit of sitting on a floor for too long and running pens out of ink. I drink tea. I like the book of Ruth. I enjoy making bread. I believe in good things. I don't support abortion. I have no problems with alcohol unless you add the 'ic.' I like Judy Garland's voice. I admire John Keats, who was atheist I will add. I prefer first, second, and third grade. I believe in play. I believe in God. I will never appreciate nor post pornography.
There are a few things in life I will not tolerate. Porn is one. But I do believe in forgiveness. Including self-forgiveness.
Pornography has very pervasive qualities. It has invaded our culture in a sly manner. So much so, that sometimes we don't even notice it. Porn used to be porn. Now it is a thousand things. Now it has a thousand masks. Including that of art. People are discovering you can do things in a particular way, and it's okay. The world lies about it.
It's your body; it's beautiful. There's nothing wrong with sharing. Look, it makes people glad. Satisfied. And oh, did you notice? Put it in a gallery, and they don't gawk. They admire it. They appreciate it. People love your body. People love you.
I hate that. All of that. I have fallen for that trap multiple times. Not in such a glaring manner as this time. But in subtle ways. I really like backs. And constellations of freckles or moles. Skin is a weakness. I think it's beautiful. I think it's lovely, and gorgeous. But do I think you should take your shirt off and take a picture and show the world?
No.
There are few people in this life that all of you should belong to. Pretty much only one person. And obviously if you are only going to belong to one person, you should hide portions of yourself for that one person and his or her benefit and pleasure. The internet is not a secret. Things are not hidden. Clothes hide things.

So. I apologise if you saw the unorthodox photograph. I feel bad for you if you did and chose not to inform me. I would have thanked you. But I have to go now. I have a billion pages of homework and to make 22 Valentines for my class.
Little boys who stare at you when you're dressed are harmless.
It's the people who choose to provide you with other parts of themselves unclothed that you need to be wary of.
Just saying.