The thick cool winter is deep, slow and steady

and like it,

she is becoming the woman 

she’s always desired.

Weathering inner

storms that once resembled tornado alleys

delighted now by new touch

feathery and softening

edges once ruffled up by life 

gently easing and into a smoothed out version

by laughter that’s known bitter

but simply got better.

Content with Rapunzel hair

greying at the temples,

with no longer need for towers,

enjoying an acquired taste for her body’s new softness in places where once firm enough to bounce any quarter 

quickly flipping

her embodiment of woman 

thriving now beyond survival

Embracing the embroidery of scars running across finely freckled sunkissed skin

as merely tattoos, 

only with better stories

of a deeper meaning

worn gently badges in testimony

to being well worn but alive

She is becoming a woman who

knows she’s a warrior 

not a worrier

fully pledged standing in allegiance in fact,

that whatever comes,

she will endure.

She is becoming a deep worn

weathered basket

handled well, willing to carry anything with grace and gratitude despite how heavy

She is becoming the woman she’s longed for;

the comforting lover 

strong and tender,

unyielding and unconditional 

The grown up daughter

who still blushes at surprises

that tumble from her own lips on occasion but stands by what was said with conviction despite minor tettering on occasion

She, becoming illuminated, brighter with each full moon

and sunrise with each cycle of the days knowing that every moment has at the very least an inkling of light despite darkness

She is becoming,

this woman she’s wanted,  yearned for,

who knows she’ll continue growing

who knows she’s more than sufficient

who knows she’s precious,

and knows she’s rare 

who knows she is plenty,

plenty enough to handle but refuses to be handled with any unnecessary roughness

who knows that her kindness will never again be mistaken for weakness,

that she is a glittering warrior queen and despite falling will always again rise 

she is becoming the woman that is plenty enough just as she is.