A smile hidden by the cover of a book.
A laugh that envied the hyena.
A gesture of kindness went a long way.
A day does not go by without deep thought.

The hand-me-downs outfit.
The well loved pair of sneakers.
The ponytail tied with a black hair tie.
They all approached me shyly that first day...

Books were ever present on her desk,
Believing in worlds so different from hers.
Beauty hidden amongst the simple life.
Braver than a heroine in a Greek tale.

Ears that listened;
Mouth that advised;
Arms that hugged;
Eyes that cared.

Always there for everyone...
Not everyone there for her...
A gesture of kindness was needed.
Never forgetting those kind to look her way...

Tears ever so hidden behind armour....
Head held poised for battle amongst the ranks...
Her valiant steed was a well loved pair of sneakers...
Her very sword were her words, used only in defense....

Heart splitting in two,
Two lives torn apart.
Tales spun of another life,
Ten times over, over, and over.

She startled the world.
She made her own path.
She smiled on starry nights.
She is Elizabeth.