In wonder you stare
at the girl you thought
was strong.
As tears roll down
her face
you realize
every person has a weakness
Even the tough ones
every person has a chink
in their armor
almost invisible
but still accessible
to anyone who has learned
that no one is perfect.
As her shoulders hunch up
as she draws herself in
you stare
at your protector
your confidant
your substitute mother hen.
Sobs begin to quiet
her apologies are repetitive
but you dismiss them all.
You gather her under your wing
you are the mother hen this time.
She laughs
mentioning how backwards
the situation is
you giggle.
She begins to close up the hole
and put back on her mask.
But this time
she doesn’t fool you.
You have seen a new side of her
a normal vulnerable side.
You play along
pretending nothing happened
but you know now
she is not perfect