I See A Girl

I see a girl;
small, and afraid
Who puts on a face every day
Deterring others
So they think,
“Everything is fine,
My life is perfect.
Of course I’m happy.”

I watch as she
Walks in darkness
A black cloud as her shadow
She cries, and wonders—
What happened?
What have I become?

It started so small.
Just a tiny cut,
Nothing more
Then it got bigger
And bigger
And now it’s out of control

I watch through the round glass
As she once again
Prepares to face the world—
Wipes away her tears
Straightens her shirt
And squares her shoulders
As I leave the room,
The silver mirror glints
Ominously from the wall.