A Poem To My Mirror

By

I see you every day.
I know you’re looking back at me
wondering what the hell happened
to the eyes that were once full of life,
to the face that used to glow like the moon,
to the smile that never left my lips,
to the reflection that was brighter than the sun.

I know you’re looking at me confused
wondering how I got here,
wondering where all these scars came from
and why I’m always bruised.
I know you’re wondering why I’m avoiding you
when I used to love you,
when I used to spend hours in front of you
and now I can’t even stand you.

Now, I can’t look at you for more than a few seconds.
Now, you remind me of things I’m trying to forget —
of a face I no longer recognize.
I know you don’t want to see me either,
you’re tired of the awkward silence
and the teary eyes.
You’re tired of looking at my body
and the pain it holds.

I know you’re tired of me
and how I always look broken
even when you’re whole.
But at the end of the day;
you’re the only one who really knows me,
you’re the only one who looks through me
and doesn’t flinch.  

Rania Naim is a poet and author of the new book All The Words I Should Have Said, available here.