Welcoming Youl

You really want to know who I am? Are you interested at all, In what lies behind the pretty face? Perhaps in search of, A little substance? A certain grace? Not unlike any other Mother of this great Earth, I am strong. I’ve had to sharpen my skills, Thicken my blood to ward off The night’s chills. When the dragon came, It was solely my game. No knight, Not even any armor, In sight. So I fought. Bloody, impossible battles. That wore me down to the very bone. Alone. But not to worry, For you see, That is what has made me, Well…. Me. Still residing in that lofty tower, Delicate beauty disguising My hard earned power. No true knight in site. That’s strangely been... Alright. But even within my intricate, fascinating castle, That I built up around me, That shell. That forms my layer of protection from, Those crafty, hungry beasts from hell, Who come cloaked in, The black of winter’s darkest night. I am still just, A vulnerable, little girl. Bathed in golden light. I have read all of the words of the great men, And when they no longer took me to, Those beloved, mysterious corners, I began to write my own. When the colors of my paints, Finally blended into a dull hue, So faint, I created new colors. When my feminine frame failed me, In the physics required to cross that wide moat, I designed the proper tool. I learned. I built a boat. Should you find the courage to approach, The strength and tenacity necessary to hack away at, The wild, glorious, flowering vines growing without reason, Surrounding my castle, Season after long season, And you are afforded, A fleeting peek at the treasure within-- I welcome you. Let’s begin. Should you get past those tall, outer gates, That were built by men of much lessor character. Those who dared to show, With absolutely no Honor. Or Truth. Somehow slipping past my barrier. Those who dared to win the girl with fancy spins, Across the parlor’s gold and pearl inlayed floor, Please stop there. Pause just a moment at that door. Before approaching again. Stop and take it all in. Really see what your greatest journey Has brought you to. Open the perception of your heart and really look. Realize what all of this took. For this is the destiny, Of your heart’s greatest dream. And yes, I am even more, Than I could possibly ever seem. The laughter you hear but cannot quite determine, The direction from which it comes. That is indeed, Pure joy. Not magic. The tears that fill your eyes, Are those of knowing A sweetness rarely found. It is truth. However tragic. That thrust of purpose you feel at your back, That skip suddenly quickening your feet, As we approach to meet, That is all real. No magic spells have been cast. There’s no fleeting, shallow, trending romance here, That couldn’t possibly last. That’s the next castle over. What is here is real. It is a lifetime of commitment. An incomparable dedication to Truth. Decorated equally with my hard-earned scars, As much as, My finest beauty and the ecstasy I bring, Along with more thrills, Than a man has ever seen. You are not in a dream. But you have discovered, The hidden treasure that is me. So welcome. Approach with care. I’m so glad to finally see you there! At my castle’s great gate. Finally realizing our extraordinary destiny, Our sweet fate. Welcome. I’ve been expecting you!