She stands like a porcelain mannequin in some elite boutique*
Beautifully attired in the latest style
She moves with grace and emulates sophistication

She lowers her eyes from her mirrored reflection
Where we  see perfection
She only sees flaws
Sinking down lower
She leaves cuts
A tortured soul in a beautiful frame
Pain muffles pain

He stands receiving his medal for
Bravery and courage
A man a country can be proud to call their own
A battle won
A hero born

He lowers his eyes from the crowd
His internal battle holding him hostage
When his guilt leaves him begging in the gutter
Will you toss him a coin
Or walk on by?
Another vagabond beggar
No more than
Dirt on your feet
The same feet that walk
The very streets he made free

The child with the sparkle in their eyes
When asked what they would like to be
when they grow up
Silently reflects
With cancer riddling their bones it's not a question
They wish to ponder
But their four year old sister pushes on
Unaware that this could be their last Christmas
A time traveller of course
That way I could live forever
As long as I keep going back
To before
Or maybe forward to when they have a cure
But never worry I'll always be with you in spirit
When my body has gone
Maybe when I grow older I shall be your gardian Angel
And so it is
All imperfections are timeless
But we will not see them
Unless they are our own of course
It is then that we need to remember
**Our imperfections are what make us unique