The look on her face,
Told the story of her life.
The wrinkles on her cheeks,
The fine laugh lines.
The scrutiny in her gaze,
Her guarded smile.

The roughened hands,
Fingers having the needle holes.
A born nurture,
Patches of skin in knots.
Palms losing the soft touch,
But still filled with warmth.

The hard personality,
With the gentle core.
The protector in disguise,
The fierce fighter soul.

The reasons,
The practical world.
The emotions,
And the lesson learned.

The up and the downs,
The highs and around.
The fort of adventures,
She's the one holding the ground.

She laugh,   she cry.
She sing,    she fly.
She teach,    she smile.
She hurts,     she hides.