unreflected

Nothing can console me

after I spent lifetimes fistfighting

with the parts of me that hurt the most

and burned my naked teeth

biting into where I bleed

red hot tears on my pillow case

this healing is explosive even

shrapnel plastered on my face

and still, I would face you.

I would still face you

because this war against myself

taught me nothing else

but to love

and you, still in the trenches,

won’t let these gentle bullets through

won’t look at me, as you would see yourself reflected

and let me look into you too

I just hope you find peace

without your mirror, even

without me.