spit and polish
make up and hair gel
just the right colored shirt
to bring out his eyes
they made him beautiful
they created an idol. . .
the once ugly duckling
had now magically become a swan
at least that's what they thought
what they didn't see
couldn't possibly know
was that Clay was already beautiful
on the inside. . . behind those heavy glasses
under that fringe of dyed brown hair
despite that funny shell necklace
behind that timid smile
was a heart bigger than all of his lithe body
a heart that outsized his huge hands
larger than his elfin ears
bigger even than his shattering voice
no, they didn't make Clay beautiful
they just uncovered him
like a priceless, rare painting
and he began to shine . . .
The Transformation
By: Morgan Rowan