Time, unforgiving, holds me hostage
with wistful dreams, hopes of yesteryear.
Unrecognizable to myself, I recoil from world’s
stark reflection of me. I never imaged this is
who I’d be.

A gazelle, graceful in her energetic leaps
and bounds – yes, this is how I saw myself.
But, look, the mirror shatters such illusion, laughs
back at me with image of wrinkled, two-ton elephant
on anti-depressants that fail to lift my mood.

Beloved – oh, and filled with joy – yes, this
was the bill of goods I sold myself about how it
would be. But, see, reflected there in sunken eyes
you’ll find all the telltale signs, A love starved soul,
a dried-up stream, nothing left, nothing left to give.

A born explorer learning always through bold
adventures around the globe – yes, this fit the life
I thought I’d live. But, look, my world shrinks and
swallows me, ridicules silly dreams floating, bloated
and belly-up, in sink.

Undaunted, unbroken by heartbreak – the way
I thought I’d cope with unexpected turns. But, see,
see splinters of pain, shadow-encircled eyes? They
grieve me endlessly. I never imagined this is
who I’d be.