Finally I See
The greatest love of all
I didn’t see her in the glory days,
Eyes blue as her powdered make-up,
Cheeks blushed with first love,
Sights set on the stars.
I missed her in her creamy bridal gown,
Cinderella playing at love,
Pouring out her essence
through the palms of her man.
I almost glimpsed her in that hospital room,
Sweat-soaked hair against the pillows,
Agony and pride in her puffy face,
Lost in the blood-soaked wonder of creation.
How often she seemed invisible,
In the throngs at the schoolyard gate,
One mum blending into the next,
Where small talk was all she had.
Or in the supermarket,
Glazed expression as she scanned the shelves,
Baby balanced upon one hip,
Diminished by the drudgery of daily chores.
So when I finally found her,
It took us both by surprise.
Middle-aged, her beauty faded,
Greying hair no longer dyed.
No disguise, no apologies.
Confidence in every hard-earned
Wrinkle and belly roll.
Age becomes her.
I see her true self.
The woman grown from dream to fruition,
Standing tall, not despite her sorrows
But because of them.
I drink her in, and find it refreshing
How all those little things
That once seemed so important
No longer matter.
Just love.
Self-love,
Hard won.
The greatest love of all.
About the Creator
Angel Whelan
Angel Whelan writes the kind of stories that once had her checking her closet each night, afraid to switch off the light.
Finalist in the Vocal Plus and Return of The Night Owl challenges.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (1)
This line was awesome ‘ Standing tall, not despite her sorrows But because of them.’ The whole poem was very inspirational