I looked at the carefully blended eyeshadow,
and the eyebrows that held the perfect arch…

The long, thick, dark lashes that held
the perfect amount of curve…

Cheekbones subtly highlighted, and skin
so soft, so smooth, that it seemed impossibly,
improbably youthful…

And a sweet cupid’s bow mouth in a shade
that made me think of the heirloom rose
Mother used to tend so carefully…

And I marvelled over artistry so clever
that no one would ever look at her and
guess at the scars she hid beneath
the elegance and sophistication.