It’ll only hurt for a second

You won’t return my mirror,

Apparently it’s time I faced myself.

You told me the only way to see myself 

Is in the reflection beheld to your eye.

The image it projected was so small,

I had to squint to see myself at all, 

The pain of it all grew tall with the realization 

This is how you’ve perceived me. 

For some reason I thought I saw you, 

That unmistakable head

Bobbing along on a greyhound bus.

I forced myself to double check

Since the last time we talked 

You erased yourself from my head.

Seeing your look alike threw me back.

It was like I was sixteen again 

Flaunting a heart pendent I had won

Asking you to show me how to pin it on.

I still disagree with your placement 

It looks obscene on the sleeve.

Seeing your double changed me back.

Absence makes the mind cold

But the heart is forced to sing your song.

Your imagined presence brought it to rest 

Anointing enough time for a trembled hello.

But my lips permitted no such thing

I wish they did.

Despite the foolish mistake

At least this version of you

He would’ve responded.