She smiles.
It's a genuine thing:
Raises her cheekbones,
Lights up her face and puts a sparkle in her eye.
You smile, too. You feel better.
She knows how to make people feel better.
Even when she's not okay.
Her smile blinds everyone to the pain.
The thing about her is...
She doesn't want the same in return,
She wants your ear.
Your presence.
Your acknowledgment.
Your time.
But you only come around when you're down,
When you need a light in your darkness.
She let's you take whatever brightness you need from her.
Because she doesn't mind.
She can make everyone feel good
Except herself.
Her light is fading fast,
Stolen by thieves in the night
Leaving her shrouded in black
With only a dim glow in sight
She trudges on toward it,
But it goes farther still.
Will she ever make it?
It's too soon to tell.