Artificiality

Published in Canvas Literary Journal


A made-up countenance, blooming with the hues
of artificiality, of vivid colors
that appeared unnaturally bright,
accentuating features, brightening shades
that never existed

She erected boundaries around her mind,
to shield herself from the dangers
of criticism, of the perils
that accompany an endless list,
a growing list of insecurities

Pale, sparkling cheekbones,
beautifully defined eyes and lashes,
A ruby red pair of lips,
wielding an insincere smile-
her defenses against the arrows
that pierce her confidence, her will, and her faith
in humanity
She effortlessly brandished-
a shallow laugh, feigned words of praise,
hollow demonstrations of friendship
thereby symbolizing the insincerity
of what surrounded her

A splash of cold water- fresh and invigorating...
she felt her face revert to its natural color
A sparkling stream cut down her face
as she rid herself of the pretensions she waved
every hour of the day,
every day of the year,
every year of her life

She looked at herself for the first time-
at a natural blue, rather than glowing sapphire,
at a pale pink, rather than violent magenta
at a soft peach, rather than vivid orange
She saw herself for what she was,
and the beauty that she possessed
that existed free of the shackles of artificiality

Truly satisfied for the first time,
she took a step back
and allowed herself a smile