And I, as a woman, have become accustomed to that.

If she hides enough

she becomes more like the moon

hiding behind the clouds

that becomes protection.

I, as a woman, wish that

was all I had to be, but

too often than none

I realize it's not that easy.

Life is never that simple.

I, as a woman, wish that there

was a manuscript out there

that could have warned me.

If she hides enough, she becomes more like

the moon hiding behind the clouds,

illuminating, creating light 

she doesn't even get to see.

I've had people compliment on my smile.

Tell me that my smile can light up a room.

In that moment, I feel like the moon

creating a light.

Creating something that I never get to experience.

And I, as a woman, have become accustomed to that.