Her smile masked a hidden hurt.
Her naivety kept her pert.

Repressing the trials of any day
won't allow them to fade away.
Face those tribulations head on.
In time, open wounds will be gone.
Injuries heal and joy can replace scars
when acceptance supercedes and welcoming doors are left ajar.
There will always be experiences that mar
but suppressing your anguish won't get you very far.

A bouncing step and erect gait
reflected her current state.

Confident and wise,
there was no more need to wear a disguise.