ugly duckling

born scrawnier and runtier 

than the rest

lowest of her pecking order

her head hung

arching below her neck

ugly duckling

obscure strange thing

she survived off of crumbs

transforming into something

supposedly worthy of love

beautiful swan

strangers swoon over her slender neck

carved from starvation 

and time spent

enduring clipped wings that flew fine

the pond ripples around her signature  

while she peacefully floats 

pretending she is plastic 

so that others may stay

and praise her porcelain pain

the murky mosaic of water

shines back her silhouette

there is no recognition of reflection 

behind the eyes of the deformed duckling

whose flesh filled out with beauty before her

she can taste what she cannot believe 

in her svelte seduction 

though she is hungry

for truth she wasn't raised

to perceive