Unprepossessing

or, Under the Surface

Dowdy. That’s how they describe me.
On the surface I’m nothing much to look at.
Nondescript is another word I’ve heard.
Terms like tatty, tawdry hurt.

Just what do they expect from me?
Uninteresting is their first response,
demeaning my essential self,
glancing once, ignoring twice,
each assuming that I’m lacking depth.

And yet, and yet.

Beneath my plain unvarnished outside,
overlooked by all and sundry, there reside
offerings of far more worth:
kindness, courage, human truths.

Between the sheets I proffer passion,
your senses driven to seventh heaven.
In my thoughts you’ll wander freely
thrilled by visions you’ve never imagined,
stimulated, challenged, even rewarded.

Can you guess now who I am?
Often people pass me by,
visiting a gaudy neighbour,
ever seeking good companionship,
realising – finally – it might be me.

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Another homework exercise for a creative writing class
Spoiler alert: the form of this riddle is due to it being an acrostic

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