you would think
she was ready to flee
with those heavily packed bags
under her swollen eyes

you would think
she could stop the tears
that danced in her vision
like a perpetual mist

yet she kept moving forward
with the weight of the world
dragging doggedly
behind her every step

say what you will
but i don’t believe
you could ever have
half the strength in her smile

i just hope
it doesn’t break her
like the world is known to do
to the special ones like her