Once, She Was light

Once, there was a little girl, full of love, wonder, and dreams. A spark lit up her curious eyes, her heart untouched by heavy things. But time moved on, and so did she— the truth began to show. The home she thought was filled with light was shadowed long ago. She learned that smiles could lie with grace, that hearts could break in quiet ways. She found the cracks in every space, in spoken words and empty praise. Now that little girl feels lost, her spark a fading gleam. She walks through rooms that feel like ghosts of what she used to dream. They say they understand her pain, but none of them can see— the mask she wears to hide the storm, the ache of who she used to be. So she smiles to ease their minds, while inside she falls apart. A girl once full of wonder now guarding her own heart.