As I sit gazing…

I look into the mirror.

I am not there.

Someone has taken my place.

I look intensely

Reality hurts.

I turn away

pretend I’m gone

that I’ll vanish one day

I see my mother

in the mirror

She’s within me

crying to be heard

trying to be free

I see my mother

dodging truth

intimidated, weak and vulnerable

standing before me

I see her tears…feeling 2^nd class

watching her kids…treated like 3^rd class

watching my father

beat my ass.

Some women are

weak and meek

eye candy for the soul

donning early morning mask

but I know

that is not her

and she is not me…

Memories have become dull

a defenseless mom

secrecy was the key

appearance a must

as a child

who could I trust.

I learned early

to play a role…

be strong, don’t cry…

There is no one

to wipe my weeping eyes.