She watched the butterfly fly like it was a wonder she had never seen
Her eyes sparkled like the daisies in the field her father once owned
In the morning when the first rays of sun hit the blanket of whites and yellows
They sparkled like diamonds because overnight the cold air would concentrate into drops of dew on the petals.
Sunken eyes, fair skin, dark hair and a longing look
Like a moth drawn to flame, she asked him: "what was wrong?"
"Everything." He whispered.
They shared moments together, him and her,
His smile seemed to appear only when she was around.
The neighbors would joke and whistle with her Uncles, flowers rained down upon them and oh, she smiled so bright
The sunlight reflecting in her hair and the pearly gaze that delicately coated her lashes
Was like a drug he needed in order to survive
In her mind, although he never smiled, she said she could make-up the difference for the both of them.
Married now with kids of four
her life revolved around the one, two, three and one more
She was a free spirit, so she still travelled of course
But with her husbands money, and she was consistently alone
Their life together began to take on a more monotonous tone
Mouths to feed, dishes to make, clothes to mend were lifeless chores.
Intelligence beyond her years once sparkled in her eyes
In her exterior shown a toughness that no amount of jewels or glitter could ever hide
Now her feathered hair covers an increasingly deepening forehead wrinkle
One caused by many years of worrying much, and eating little.
Regal, is how she wanted to be seen in the eyes of the world
Most of the time it was "tired" that harrowed the frailty of her bones
Yet she steamrolled through her life and let her haters whistles blow
Because deep in her bosom she cradled a burning fire or a force unknown.
"Kindness is strength," my darling. Mother whispered in her mind, stroking her hair with her gentle and warm hands.
She believed in every word.
"Kindness is strength," the woman whispered, repeatedly, over and over as the light that once shone in her eyes so bright— began to fade away.
The world, once so clear and brimming with adventure— became cold and ominous.
"Kindness is strength," she whimpered, as pain rocketed throughout her body like a lightning bolt ripping through her core.
She wanted to believe it, and she tried. But these new, ugly shadows that followed her like a ghost— haunted her frame— she didn't know how to make them go away.
Other strong, brave, terribly vindictive women
She had admired and respected throughout her life
Turned their eyes away,
Because maybe they hated to watch this young woman's soul take flight.
Little did they know,
And little did they try,
To know, support or even understand—
The living demons this woman was painstakingly, unnecessarily, consistently trying to hide.
..........................................................................
Supple curves, luminous cheeks
Against rough, dirty hands
For the first time in her life, she was beginning to see who was truly in front of her.
