Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

“Hello,” I whisper.

The brisk chill in the air bounces off of the glass and meets my skin.

I touch my index finger to the mirror.

I pulled it back as if I’ve been shocked.

In frustration, I jerk my arm back.

Slowly, as my knuckles line up against the glass,

I brace myself for the impact.

It’s just a mirror,

Not just glass.

But staring at my reflection,

I look at the mirror as if I have never seen my face before.

The glass shatters against my knuckles.

Pieces scatter against the floor around my bare feet.

Warm tears trickle down my cheeks,

As I squat down and pick up a large shard of glass.

Through blurry eyes,

I look at the sliver of my face I can see in the mirror piece.

The words cross over the glass like black shadows

Taunting me

You’re stupid.

You’re a bitch.

You’re worthless.

Pain stabs my heart.

I’ll never be enough.

I’ll never be what is needed.

My thoughts feel louder than my screams ever could reach.

I feel like I’m drowning in my pain.

I open my mouth to cry,

But the sounds won’t come out.

The darkness takes my hand

The blood smearing against my skin.

For too long,

I’ve put everyone else’s needs before my own.

I’ve given refuge to everyone else even as I’ve drowned and suffered.

I’ve given my heart where it wasn’t deserved.

It was trampled and beaten.

It was twisted, abused, and starved of oxygen.

Darkness pulls me close

Wraps her cold arms around me

And I shudder into her embrace.