look closer

you’ve seen her

the way her hair falls

long, thick and straight

caramel brushing her lower back

and those eyes

large and bright

dark green, framed perfectly

with a thick, dark fringe

her mouth

usually curved in a smile

or open with a laugh

her legs

tan and long

rippling with muscle

or her arms

thin and toned

but secretly strong

your eyes have wandered

over her tall, muscular body

you’ve seen the way she walks

with confidence and purpose

fast, with long strides

you think you’ve memorized the image of her

but 

have you seen?

the scars that crisscross her wrists

once red and dripping

now thin white slivers

the dark circles under her eyes

heavy with lost sleep

the same eyes once full

of hope and wonder

now swollen

red from a long night

of silent tears

or what about

the curves of her cheeks

tear-stained and splotchy

her long fingers

intertwining in and out of themselves

over and over again

when she needs to feel grounded

and the way she slides her pendant

back and forth on it’s chain

when she can’t find the words

how her strong legs shake

when the anxiety consumes her

so are you sure you’ve memorized her image?

look again

please, look again

because she is waiting

for one person

just one person

to notice

how much she’s struggling

I promise you

you have not seen

all there is to her

there is more

that lies underneath the surface

if only someone would see it