Your reflection in the pond
is not one you wish to see
your youthful looks are missing
disappeared by the setting sun.
Shadows play across your face
odd angles playing with light and dark
features half hidden by the darkness
that you fear is inside.
You wonder when it took root
worming its way deep inside
so small and quiet at first you did not see it
until the sun began to set
and the shadows came to play.
A quick look only shows one side
of the multifaceted creature that looks back at you
but a quick glance is all you can bare
it hurts too much to see how far you’ve come.
All you can see are the scars
the remnants of the hundreds of tiny paper cuts
that tried to tear apart the paper doll
that you’d only just taped back together.
The reflection in the pond haunts you
reminds you of things you wished you’d done
of faces your thought forgotten
of words left unsaid.
The surface ripples, your face distorting
becoming something else
something surreal
something almost beautiful.
For by the rippling water
the scars have been blurred away
until all that’s left is the vaguest image
of who you used to be.
But there is an unsettling feeling
in the pit of your stomach
this rippling reflection of your face is beautiful, yes
but it’s not truly you, not anymore.
Your face distorted into a dishonest image
one that seeks to hide the truth
if only to protect its wearer from seeing
the scars once thought disappeared still remain.
The water calms
your reflection restored to its former self
your scars reappear
youthfulness lost once again.
This time it’s not a quick glance
a shy look that barely lingers
it’s a long, hard stare
to find that its a beautiful face staring back.
and it’s yours…
a back and forth journey – to my reading – excellent!
Thank you so much!!
Even after 50 years, I appreciate the occasional reminder: girls are weird.
Doin’ great, A! Good to see you writing again.
No face more beautiful. I hope you’re well Acire 🙂
Thank you! I hope you’re well also.