The familiar stranger

A pair of eyes
and a familiar face.
But the smile still lost
and a different gaze.
In a place not unknown
That I happened to visit.
I saw her today
was overwhelmed a bit.
Hugged her instantly
To avoid the truth.
But things have changed
However similar they look.
She looks the same
Has lost some weight.
Still talks non stop
When discusses her fate.
Is pure as tears
But strong as a stone.
With words that move you
Without raising the tone.
Has endless questions
And legitimate grievances.
Is ready to face the world
If given adequate chances.
She's a beautiful woman
With values and belief.
Has been hurt million times
Still capable to forgive.
While her words can move you
And her eyes make you fall,
It's the smile gone missing
From her tender heart
(that makes all the difference)
She's a human of course
Who has certain limits.
Can keep trusting people
If not for her self esteem.
She has been betrayed
And has felt abandoned.
From the ones that meant the world
For months she heard not a single word.
She has all the right to close the doors
For blocking the way has been a thing of the past.
But while she sticks to the decision
of not crossing those corridors
She must remember
A fact for sure,
Not all those she is going to meet
Are ignorant to her worth
Or incapable to treat
A woman of her calibre,
One made of substance.
A lady proud of her scars,
One they fall for in a glance.
Yet all those men she is still to meet
Might not know how she loved to laugh
At lame jokes that her friends used to crack
Over a pint of beer and some snacks.
The laughter that conveyed
The fearlessness and the comfort
The belongingness and the warmth
That she still sometimes craves for.
It's their undivided attention and affection
She deep down knows what she still loves
But she surely would never beg for it
Coz she also knows what she truly deserves.