Remindher

The face I see

Doesn't see me back.

My arms reach out to touch her

But the cool air is their only welcome.

I see her trying to reach me too,

Her confusion mimics myown.

Why is she so close,

But so far away.

I swear I knew her once

Now a stranger stands before me.

She used to be young and carefree

Hopelessness now fills her eyes like a pool starving for water,

Sucking her into a void she can't return from.

Like a whirlpool swirling down into the darkness.

Shoulders slumped

Defeated

Tired

I try to remind her of all the happiness she once had, and for a moment I see a flicker of hope in the twitch of her mouth

But it's gone as fast as it came.

"You can do this, you can do this"

I repeat the words to her

Again, and again

She says them with me

Trying to convince herself that I'm right

Even though I'm not really sure she can.

She looks so dejected

Depressed

Lost.

I steady my focus on her

Determined now, to make her believe what I believe

That she is a strong

warrior

Fighter.

"You CAN do this, You Fucking CAN!"

Her countenance changes.

Then

Light shines on her face almost blinding me,

Hope, resonates in that glow

Her spine straighter.

Her mouth resolute.

I did it.

Triumphant

So now, I gaze longer

At my reflection.