ONCE I WAS

Once I was someone

with bright red hair

a nose ring or two

big black tall boots

and A-line skirts

Once I was someone

with black painted nails

stark black hair

the day you met me

with streaks of white

Once I was someone

who expressed herself

by what she wore

a mere shadow now

of someone no more

Once I was someone

I recognized as me

made my own decisions

free to be as I am

a person no longer I know.