penelope

today i met a girl

named penelope.

her coils, tied up in pigtails

were almost as bouncy & bubbly

as her spirit.

if her pink ensemble

& glitter engulfed hands

didn't catch your attention

the warm, golden glow

illuminating the world

through her curious eyes

would surely do the trick.

her clumsy fingers held

up a number, as she proudly

exclaimed

"i'm four!"

something i could tell she'd been practicing.

as penelope admired

my dress

my hair

my accessories

she looked up at me as she realized...

"are you a princess?"

i so badly wanted to tell her

she re-ignited my spark, for,

as i was getting dressed this morning

i wasn't sure who i was

or if i liked what i was looking at

but i quickly remembered

penelope saw in me the same golden glow

i saw in her

so, of course, i replied

"why yes, i am." because

to deny my royalty

would be denying hers, too.

and penelope

was a princess

if i'd ever met one.

as we said our goodbyes

i felt a mutual gratitude

and admiration

that would not be soon forgotten

if my four year old self only knew

She'd grow up to be a princess,

a welcoming, loving, inviting presence

to girls like penelope

to girls who sparkle

to girls like Herself

maybe She wouldn't wonder

so much

what to wear

who She was

if she liked what She was looking at

or if She was worthy of a tiara

thank you,

princess penelope

for now, when i see Her

admiring my reflection in the mirror

i will curtsy

and smile back at Her.