she was

earth

with eyes that bore the scars of survival

of trauma and neglect, days spent toiling alone

and still she stood, grounded

roots stretching deep,

a foundation stone

she was 

fire

melodies that had been forged in infernos and pain,

each distinctly melancholy note 

smelted painstakingly from the furnace of life

untold stories pouring forth, from her throat

she was

ice

gazes frosty, eyes darkening, 

enduring the surface pressure

icy surface freezing over, 

a frosty facade

but, beneath it all–

a lonesome heart, waiting 

out of sight to be thawed

she was 

the brave

the broken

the 

beautiful