She tries to be a rainbow
But is a pencil-written note.
She tries to be a roar
But is the clearing of a throat.

She tries to be a hurricane
But is the beaded dew at dawn.
She tries to be red lipstick
But is SPF 4 lip balm.

She tries to be a wink
But is averted eyes.
She tries to be a roar
But ends up as a sigh.

She tries to be a flower garden
But is a single petal.
She tries to be gold jewelry
But feels like rusted metal.

She tries to be the ocean
But is the gravel on which it rests.
She tries to be a roar
But is a mumble under breath.