More Than Skin Deep

she wears her heart on her sleeve,
even when she tries not to –
her hurt carved into her young flesh,
and her happy shimmering like sparklers
in her deep green eyes

she listens and observes;
she absorbs

she knows things,
even when she doesn't want to know

she overflows,
because she feels more than
what will ever fit inside
the boundaries of her skin

she yearns to forgive,
and love herself

she wants to know you,
she wants to know how you love

she is a girl who teaches the world
what beautiful is

-image via Pixabay