Beauty Unveiled

The beauty in a fog with a veil covering her eyes,
Hazing the world around her in
Lacey, blurry, foreign silhouettes.

Crown abandoned,
The stoic daughter of battles fought,
Lost or won, it makes no difference.
She stands, observing, unmoving.

And as the veil lifts,
All else stills.
Numb at first maybe,
She stares out,
Searching and seeking.
Sensitive. Waiting.

And in a rush of wonder,
A smile rests.
A flicker of recognition, clarity,
Curiosity,
She takes a step onto a path of sweet cherry blossoms.
Turns her head to the rustling of branches.
Bows to the smell of fresh soil beneath her bare feet.

And how light her steps become,
When finally, the rags fall.