I used to know a young girl
who wasn’t afraid of anything.
She held her head up high
and walked gracefully through adversity.
She had an inner strength
that outshined all of her doubts.
Her smile, like the sun
warm and full of light.
She used to wink at me
from behind the looking glass
and I loved her.
I look for her now sometimes,
but she seems to have been gone
for far too long.
Instead I am faced with the reflection
of a woman I do not recognize.
She is frightened
and the weight of her world has taken it’s toll.
She is far too serious for laughing games
and her smiles do not come easily.
I am afraid she has scared my winking friend away.
Wait, what’s that I see?
A glimmer of something familiar.
She is there after all,
waiting patiently for my return.
She stands tall and proud, arms outstretched
reaching for my heart.
Your journey has been long
and your pain has been great,
she says with compassion in her voice
and understanding in her eyes,
but you have returned to me
and I will never leave you again.