The Mile in Her Smile

She smiles at you again,
Her red-brown hair falling
Into her green-brown eyes.
Do you notice the way she
Bites her lip, supressing
A cry, when you grab her arm?

Of course not, don't be
Silly. That's what she aims
For. That's what she strives
For. She'll never let you
See her scars. Or her fresh
Cuts, for that matter.

She tries so hard and she
Sings with all her heart
And she writes her soul
In blood on paper with
Rhymes and immagery and
Her everything. She

Wants nothing more than to
Be told, "You are so, so
Strong. I wish you could see
That." Instead, people try
To convince her that she's
Pretty and skinny and
Great at everything she does.

So, please, the next time
I smile and my red-brown hair
Falls into my green-brown eyes,
Notice the bite to my lip,
And tell me I'm strong.
That's all I'd like, so


If you don't mind.