Elizabeth

ELIZABETH

Elizabeth is the favorite nurse 

of the residents of Shady Elms Nursing Home.

When they see her, they think of 

springtime and daisies 

and Doris Day.

Her voice has a lilt

and her sense of humor brightens the

dull routine of the residents' lives. 

She is their advocate and treats them all 

with humor, care and respect,

 and because of these things

  she is greatly loved.

Sad to say, Elizabeth

does not love herself.

She hates what she considers her full cheeks
 and her plump figure,

and the freckles that sprinkle over her nose.

She compares herself to models and movie stars

and wishes that she could be someone else.

She has no idea how she lights up a room,

and how beauty shines out through

her wholesome face.

And so she dreams of a diet or face cream
or some other miracle

that will make her as beautiful

as, everyone knows,
 she already,

truly,

is.