She hid her face and turned away
\nA timid grin and gentle blush
\nBelied the strength behind her gaze
\nAnd power in her tender touch<\/p>\n
She veiled her heart and built her walls
\nOf solitude and privacy
\nBut deep within her secret lair
\nLonged a beast of dynasty<\/p>\n
Her gates stood tall, her fences strong
\nA guise of faintness worn with pride
\nControlling dread thru dominance
\nNegating what she\u2019d cast aside<\/p>\n
Her fear unfounded left me cold
\nI wondered but I dared not ask
\nOf beauty she refused to see
\nConcealed so far behind the mask<\/p>\n
Then I saw plainly what she veiled
\nA smile shielding darker pain
\nA laugh, a shrug, a careful glance
\nI knew it well, it knew my name<\/p>\n
The walls of shielding built by hands
\nWho hurt and bleed and scarred from years
\nOf giving, loving, taking naught
\nBut disdain and forgotten tears<\/p>\n
Her fright familiar, left me cold
\nStill I wondered but could not ask
\nOf beauty she refused to show
\nConcealed so far behind the mask<\/p>\n
I viewed her mirror and what I saw
\nWas bold and true, divine and grave
\nFierce and daring, gracious, strong
\nLoving, epic, pretty, brave<\/p>\n
While I looked on, it warmed my soul
\nThere was no longer need to ask
\nOf beauty she could never hide
\nRevealed from far behind a mask<\/p>\n