Chestnut cherry colored
lip stain stays the
fears and thoughts
she fights as
she lays awake.
It separates her from the boys.
Someday, love will find her.
Lovely long lashes flutter
as she lifts her voice in
an awkward lilt coupled
with intentional lisps and
unfortunate vocal fry.
It separates her from the girls.
Someday, she will know love.
Hurting with heaving heart and
painful envy she endures;
she observes and learns and
teaches herself to be
someone else.
It separates her from herself.
Someday, she will love.