A Closer Look

         

I took a closer look
at a friend of mine today
I could see little pieces of her
Beginning to fade away
I almost didn't recognize
the woman standing there
she wore a blank expression
I could see she didn't care
Her eyes were cold and dark
hiding the pain locked up inside
When did she last get sleep?
What was she so desperate to hide?
And when I lowered my eyes

I caught the paleness of her tone
She looked so frail and fragile
and so completely alone.
Then I heard her speak a question
as my eyes met her empty stare
"What would people say,
If they knew of my nightmare?"
Somehow I think I understood
the question she had asked.
But I had not the answer,
It was locked up in my past.
I have known this girl forever
Before her soul had gotten lost
She was hiding from the pain
unaware of what it would cost.
She was willing to feel nothing
If it meant she'd feel no pain
not caring for the sunshine
That's promised after the rain.
I can see she has grown weary
her eyes reveal as much
she is lost within herself
A cold heart, no one can touch.
I hear her screams so clearly
Though her expression never sways
Her silence screams so obvious
She's been crying out for days.
Why am I the only one
Who can hear her desperate cry?
I want to help, but what if I fail
I am afraid to even try.
I know I should reach out to her
Shake her at her very core,
And beg and plead and shout to her
"NO MORE!! NO MORE!! NO MORE!!"
I know the strength within her
I have seen her will to live
I see her broken spirit now,
she feels she has nothing left to give.
Somehow I must get to her
I have to find a way to set her free
This closer look now has revealed

This woman is me