My reflection stared back at me

It smiled

A saccharine

A bitter

Grin

Behind the smile

Behind the eyes

I saw the darkness

Hiding

Concealed

Afraid

I reached in

Pulling apart the jaws

I felt pain

Humiliation

Secrets exposed

And I knew

I knew what the world saw

What the world thought

What the world

Missed

Now I'm my own reflection

I stared back at

Me

I traced the tear

Tracing the cheek

I invited myself in

To the darkness

What do you see in the mirror. Is it what others see? Can you imagine climbing in and being enveloped by all your doubts and fears? Or is your reflection simply a mirror image of you?

Do you think the world sees you the way you see yourself? Do you wish it did, or are you pleased if it doesn't. Who we are inside and what we present to the world can be so different. We can be afraid of not being accepted. Persecution. Judgement. Hatred.

Why can't we just be ourselves?

Stay safe. Stay well. Be kind.