She wanted to be beautiful
But not in the ways of porcelain and perfection
She wanted the kind of beauty
That comes with too many freckles and scars
She wanted the kind of glamour
That wears the sunset and the moonrise as makeup
The kind that laughs too loud
And wears the wrinkles of too wide smiles around the edges
She wanted the kind of hair
That begs for winds or fingers to tangle in it
Not the kind of beauty that belongs behind glass
But the kind that must be touched to be appreciated
She did not want the kind of beauty
That launches a thousand ships
Instead she wanted the kind
That rides the waves from the bow, the sea on her skin
She wanted the kind of beauty
That is not diminished by sweat and bruises
But the kind that shines
Like a window from her eyes into her soul
She wanted the kind of beauty
That inspires no artist to paint it
But that steals her lover’s breath
When he dreams of her skin
She wanted to be beautiful
And so she was