A Gentle Soul

by Mandy Doerr

A gentle soul am I
Gentle as a summer breeze
As quiet as a butterfly
As tranquil as a tree

My spirit is quick to mirth
My heart is quick to sorrow
And sunlight to me is worth
At least a dozen tomorrows

My mind lives on wonder
My soul lives on faith
My thoughts love to wander
Like a child chasing a wraith

Yet to the outer world
Precious little of this is apparent
Though the inside is lined with pearl
The outside is covered with granite

So from my facade of stone
I peer out - quite cautious -
Not willing to have myself torn
By the realms of secular chaos

I walk securely in my armor
Confident that it will hold
Yet when assaulted by the clamor
At times I feel myself go cold

Still I am determined to survive
Willing to achieve
Knowing that hope can again revive
And my heart can still believe