different, but the same

i looked in the mirror today

and i saw an adult's face staring back at me

more angular than i had thought

more worn than i remember

more tired

more dark spots

and lingering pimples, still.

new, and old.

feeling more like myself again,

while sitting unrecognizable.

*

different, but the same.

*

i saw the chip in my back tooth

from the one fateful summer's swingset

i saw the scar on my forehead

from the scratch of my first friend, lucky

i saw the beginnings of my smile lines

just creasing as my mom's do

and the same innocent eyes staring back at me

the ones that dreamed big, and still do.

may those dreams always grow with me.