Observation of a Friend

She observed her friend,
Smiling,
Broken,
So hurt by one she once loved.
The physical wounds healing,
The emotional wounds ragged and raw.

Each day, the friend applied make up
And a smile,
And she faced the world.
She would not let them know
What had gone on.

Those closed doors had been closed too long.
The smile worn both for strangers,
And for friends.

She shivered,
Considering what this once strong friend
Had faced,
And realised;
Though battered, broken and single once more,
Her once strong friend,
Was stronger still,
For having fought,
So hard,
And won.