My friend, Jenna, gave me the following brief:
“The Beauty Inside
How about something to inspire us who are not able to see our worth or beauty in a cruel world.”
I have been thinking about this since I first read her comment. I had a few ideas I was toying with but decided that something unconventional would be the best route to go with this subject.
The Lady Without a Name
She is there on the park bench; the lady without a name
I see her every Friday, like we play some kind of game
Her sight is straight ahead – an empty, lifeless gaze
I see something on her cheekbone, it’s clearly a graze
She wears pretty clothes, but something’s clearly amiss
She’s a classic beauty, not at all a ‘Miss Pris’
Her eyes are dark pools, rich and deeply clear
It’s only when she blinks them, that I notice her tears
I wonder what she’s thinking, what’s making her sad
Or is she crying because she’s irate; flaming mad?
Excuse me. What’s the matter? Yes, I am bit nosy
Before she can protest, I hand her a posy
Oh, Sweet Girl, it’s my husband, you see
He words are cruel and hateful, and he beats me
I too have been there, I know her pain
But us women are warriors – rainbows after the rain
Tell me what he said, I ask, the reason you’re so blue
Men that treat women badly, they’re a Motley Crew
Her lips tremble as she begins to speak
Her voice is so quiet, barely an audible squeak
He called me useless: A whore!
He said I’m stupid,
A bad mother
Decayed at the core
The tongue cuts deep, a double-edged sword
That I do believe, as it is written in the Word of the Lord
I take her hand in mine, and give it a squeeze
Listen to me now, and believe this, please.
The world may be cruel, dark and dim
But you have a special light, that shines within
You are unique, special and I can sense, kind
Don’t let anyone who can’t see that make YOU feel blind!
It may not be easy, but you have the power to leave
No person should choke your living, disallowing you to breathe
Despite the rank darkness of the world today
You are important, you have a fated role to play
I also know it’s easy for me to talk
I don’t wear your shoes, I don’t know your walk
What I do know is this, we’re women; warriorly fighters
We sacrifice of ourselves all the time, to make others’ burdens lighter
There is beauty in you, and hidden gems too
You work to fill others, it’s what we do
Be hopeful, be happy, choose to be free
Others have done it, you can too!
She rose from her seat, no tear in sight
Thank you, she said, woman of might!
It’s been a year since that Friday, her bench has been empty
But she’s moving and shaking, with good deeds a-plenty
I’ve heard she shares her story, no longer with shame
That incredible lady, without a name.
