She Was

she was
red rosy cheeks
short blonde hair,
cute dresses and ribbons and
baby dolls
song bursting from her heart
her presence radiating energy
passionate
impulsive
expressive
the laughter of the party
the spark to small worlds
 
she was a tree-climber
a story-teller
she was the funny one
with her dirty bare feet
she was roller-skating
and the smell of chlorine
she was candy-eating
and hour-long phone calls
holding hands through tears
playing away the years
she
was
 
 
then she grew up
ever so fast
hair now cascading
long, smooth over her shoulders
hiding her intricate soul,
reserved, kept safe
the beauty of her depth
sparkles through her gates
shines to those
who share in her journey
listen to her silence
and grow by her side
 
now she is loyalty
authenticity
moment-focused,  
exploring life as it comes
moving forward
holding her ground
a secret rebel, finding herself
she is beaches and sea glass
tackling the waves
which beat her into  
exhaustion.
she
is