La Bella (For your Mother...)

I have seen
a faded photograph
of you as a child.
I loved that picture:
a mere slip of a girl,
mischievous smile and dark flashing eyes,
holding such promise
and bright anticipation,
just before life's bloody hand
washed away your childhood.
(What happened to happily ever after?)

Who knows what,
(and which of us
could have faced)
terrors that you found
in those dark rooms of your mind.
You didn't always do what they told you to do,
but I know you did what you had to do...
making you stronger
than you ever thought you could be,
stronger than you ever wanted to be...

Stronger and harder,
too wary to trust,
too weary to love,
strong and, now, alone.
You hold yourself so stiff.
(is it to keep others out, or keep yourself in)
It seems so sad to me
all that hope turned to hardness,
those shining eyes dulled
with so much disappointment...
You did what you had to, and should be proud.

Still, I cry for that little girl.