Have You Seen Her?

I’ve seen her laugh,

Nervously,

Almost

Apologetically,

As if she needed someone’s permission

Before,

Or someone’s approval

After.

I’ve seen her smile,

Falteringly,

For the benefit of the viewer,

As if she’d been chastised too much

For flashing a full-fledged grin.

I’ve seen her eyes glint

And then fade out,

Much too soon,

Much too much,

As if she didn’t have the right,

To express herself,

Through her own countenance.

I’ve seen her

And I wonder what it’d be like

When she burst out

The full glory

Of her inner resplendence

I wonder what it’d be like

To see her

Happy.