Kate Nystrom

She ties her hair back

or keeps it short

or shaves it altogether

Maybe She moisturizes

maybe She doesn’t

Sometimes her lipstick is flawless

Other times her eyebrows grow unruly

But her collar is neat 

Her bones are capable

Her mind is invaluable

Her heart is persistent

She learned how to balance

The impossible

A gentle touch

A firm correction

A shout, a mandate

A patient instruction

A peace maker

A battle winner

A second-chance giver

A no exceptions-maker

A mentor

A fighter

A leader

Approachable 

But formidable

Respectable

But relatable

Gentle

But not soft

Tough

But not rough 

Wherever She is

Whoever She is

She is tired

But can’t stop

The expectations

Are too great

And She

Is too strong

A different kind of beautiful 

With her you will survive