she was not pretty like a flower
not like the moon, the stars,
the planets, burn candles
in fact, she was one of the ugliest people
i had ever looked in the eye
because she laid bare
and gave you this stare
that meant so much to someone so lonely
like me, i could see
every pattern engraved on her soul
she was no one;
but she was definitely someone
to be recognized, by the sheer force
and willpower in her demeanor
no, she was not pretty
she was strong, the way iron is
when it is still withstanding
the hardships of weather and time
beaten down but holding on
for dear life; she was so, so strong
oh, i thought she was beautiful
beyond the grown over eyebrows
and all those other trivial features
as i stared, she winked in my direction
and commenced her transformation
changing into the very epitome of who i want to be
determined, lovable, dependable, free