Behind a veil,
I no longer remember
I was a shy girl
[with boring brown hair].
I feel bright, more fun, more free.
I can act as someone else,
anybody I want to become.
Anybody who is not
who I was. I let you take my hand
in yours, lead me from my friends
and we talk as if I’m yours,
and you are mine.
I am not myself anymore,
I am now who I have become—
but not just anybody.
Transformed, you notice—
not just my hair color.
Even in the poor light, I’m
better, new, improved.
I fit into your life,
among the beautiful and unique
photographs that line your walls—
the dancers on stage, the girl
jumping into a river, a self portrait
you took while hanging brightly colored
paper cranes from a tree.
The only thing left between us,
is the camera lens.