Portrait of a Wounded Bird

For those of who think they are unseen.

         She walked with a calm confidence that was captivating and alluring, like a lone wolf stepping through the snow. Her eyes were big and brown, and while they shone bright and innocent, in them was reflected something hidden, that whispered to you something beautiful that couldn’t quite be heard. If you had the courage to speak to such a figure, you’d hear the voice of an angel " soft, sweet and delicate but with the slightest edge, like a crack in marble. The words that came forth from her rosy, tender lips left you spellbound, waiting for each new syllable that may hint at who this beautiful creature truly was.
                She dressed understated; simple and casual, for she cared not what any man thought, but she secretly longed for someone to tell her she was beautiful, inside and out, and mean it so she would feel it. Someone special who came without hidden intent " without sharp words and sharper claws. A gentle touch or a genuine smile would do. This soul would move beyond the eyes and not flee upon discovering what was there.
                A secret glance her way when she thought no one was looking would reveal the air of vulnerability. She was not happy with herself, but she was perfect, only no one ever told her that. She only knew a perfect woman would not have been treated like nothing. The cowards that hid behind soft faces would not have broken her open. She’d have been held, not held down. She’d be caressed, not struck. Loved, and not used. When she was left alone she didn’t ask what was wrong with them, but instead “What’s wrong with me?”
                Those that have been hurt end up hurting themselves like they believe they must deserve it. She would take to drink and drugs to dull it, and smoke to calm it. Watch her take a delicate drag of the cigarette, and it would seem to take a part of her with it. Pieces of her time and heart drift away in the smoke and breeze.
                She was a gemstone hidden in rock. Get closer and you’d watch it crumble away. Hidden beneath was a beautiful person " sweet, kind, loving, and somehow still hopeful. She was a gift of a human being that had just been kicked around too much. You can only hold her hand, listen, and cry out at the scum who would have been so cruel. Wishing to simply pick her up and take her somewhere better, while wondering why you had not met sooner.
                Pictures in your mind gain colour. The love you can feel stirs to life, and no one sees or hears. The kiss shared slows the ticking of time and speeds the beat of a heart.  Perfect moments are here.
                And then like candle light, it is blown out. That single night is all there is.
                You’ll try to see her again but it’s too late. Too many scars have left her frightened, and untrustworthy of your affections. Your adoration. In her mind she sees that you can’t be real, can’t be genuine, and this beautiful creature disappears in to the snow, leaving you to wonder if it was ever really there.
                It’ll break your heart like glass when you realize, she’ll never know, once upon a time, that someone cared.
                That someone loved.