Presence of a Stranger

While passing by a river…. I saw it. I caught it! A glimpse of a familiar face. A feeling of warmth and comfort surrounded my once happy heart.

As I knelt to the ground, the feeling melted away almost as quickly as it had appeared. The reflection now bearing a new face. One without a name.

The hollowed cheeks that once bore my courageous smile were now almost as unrecognizable as the bags I carry under my sore tired eyes.

I finally exhaled as if waiting for an emotion to yield itself into existence.

It didn’t.

I returned to my feet and slowly averted my eyes from the image now forever engraved in my mind.

All other emotions whisked away with the rustle of the falling autumn leaves. Acceptance filled my bones as I once more became acquainted with the cold brisk air that filled the trees around me.