He smiles at a woman
of fine dresses,
stilettos and
diamond rings.

He smiles at a woman
of lenses,
make-up and
lipstick she brings.

Then he smiles back at me
wanting me to be that woman.
And his smiles bring me tears and heartaches.
Smiles. Tears. And Heartaches.

He gives me
smiles,
tears,
and heartaches.

For I am not a woman
of fine dresses,
stilettos and
diamond rings.

And I don't have
the lenses,
make-up and
lipstick she brings.

For I am only a woman
of smiles,
tears and
heartaches.

For he always gives me
smiles,
tears,
and heartaches.

I stood ashamed
with the feathers of past hurts.
All that I was and
all that I hoped for,
vanished,
torn apart
and burned into pieces.
But from the ashes,
I rose up like the Phoenix
with inner strength and beauty.

I was restored to discover who I am…

I dared to move.
I dared to spread my wings.
I dared to fly.

Now I won’t stand ashamed
with the feathers of past hurts.
All that I am
and all that I hope for,
may vanish,
be torn apart
and burn into pieces.
But from the ashes,
I’ll rise up like the Phoenix
with inner strength and beauty…
again
and
again

I’ll move.
I’ll spread my wings.
And like the Phoenix…
I’ll fly.