This poem has been running through my mind since D-Day. Perhaps many of you will recognise 'her' (or him!).
Today I saw the girl with the sad eyes again.
Her pain is tangible, her grief visible,
angst sitting on her face like a shroud.
I wanted to comfort her and promise
her that everything would be fine.
But I could tell that my words
wouldn't reach her because
she couldn't hear anything beyond
her own heavy heartbeats.
She looked so, so sad.
I wanted to cry for her.
As I looked again at her, I noticed that
she was looking right back at me.
Then I realised.
I was looking in the mirror.....
the girl with the sad eyes was ME.
Oh how I have been at that mirror and seen a stranger.
Angry,
Old and wrinkly,
Grey,
Sad,
Puffy eyed,
Empty eyed.
And then today after 11 months of transformation,
like a butterfly bursting from the uncomfortable
confines of a cocoon...
Today I saw a girl with a twinkle in her eyes again.
Her happiness was infectious, she was vibrant,
a smile sitting on her face like a sunbeam.
She was comfortable with her self
Living the promise she promised herself
to love herself always.
I wanted to ask her where her radiance was coming from
but couldn't hear anything beyond
her pleasant and joyous laughter.
She looked so, so happy.
I was jealous.
As I looked again at her, I noticed that
she was looking right back at me.
Then I realised.
I was looking in the mirror....
the girl with the radiant smile was ME.
Thank you. You both captured the two ends of our huge spectrum of feeling so beautifully.
English Girl - I am so sorry and so sad. We all know how horrible it feels.
Hope - Your name is so perfect. You give me hope and inspiration. And you are so right - it has to be about loving yourself and not having your value dependent on anybody else.
