Gentleness

He had talent
Painting emotions that had a way of quaking her gently
The way acoustic guitar charges the starry, night air
The brushstrokes his soul swept
Lingered along lines of a periphery
On an unassuming canvas
In ways the others didn’t
He was a broken masterpiece
An overlooked piece of gentle art
With the soul strength and roughness of a warrior
Left as an option in a crowded back closet
He deserved a place of honor,
she thought
Not to be stacked
Pulled out and put back, at whim
Auctioned and resold
Only to end up back where he began
There was a sorrow within him
A resignation that his fate was sealed
His truth was hard and unknown
He hated himself
Beauty hidden
But not in any sense that mattered
They packed him in with all the others

She wanted to give each a piece of her heart

A hand written note that said, hold on

There is a place for you  
A gentle light leaning ever so close
So the eyes of those who lack sight might finally see you  

Those close enough to take him in
Close enough to understand
Cared only to be chosen too
His closest companions, competitors in an unseen war
Fighting to be the next masterpiece
Hung out on an ancient auction block
Seeking position, their love

How is it that you don’t know how beautiful you are?
I’m so sorry that it’s all a lie
I understand this pain
The way you’ve coped
How soon you gave up hope
I have answers that are too great to number  
Just know that I love you
And I hurt for you, and with you
I hope that you win
I hope that you all win