The Version of Me No One Met

There was a version of me you’ll never know,

The one who smiled just to soften the blow.

She woke up early, gave the world her best,

And cried alone when no one guessed.

She had dreams — not loud, but deep,

And secrets that she’d always keep.

She forgave more than she should’ve done,

Gave love until she had none.

She walked through fire just to feel warm,

And stood in rain to calm her storm.

You’d call her “strong” — she’d call it “tired,”

But still she rose, bruised but inspired.

She said “I’m fine” a million times,

Masked pain in poems and rhymeless lines.

She laughed at jokes she didn’t get,

And wore hope like a safety net.

She’s gone now — faded with time,

A ghost in the mirror, a whispered rhyme.

But I owe her everything I am today,

She paved the path, she cleared the way.

So if I seem brighter, it’s thanks to her fight,

If I glow, it’s her leftover light.

She’s the version no one really met,

But I’ll never let myself forget.