Mirror

She’s sitting at the table, quiet still

Surrounded by too many little lies

Every glance is asking something of her

But no one asks how much she hides

She smiles softly for the room

And swallows pressure like cold smoke

Everyone just wants her light

But no one sees her burned-out home

She gathers herself from a thousand shards

Takes a breath, holds on tight

But every hand that reaches out

Just wants her to lose herself inside

I’m healing, piece by piece

But you keep pulling at me

I’m healing, piece by piece

And you tear me apart here

I’m not your mirror

Not your silent “yes”

I’m healing, piece by piece

Even if it’s been harder

There’s that friend with the loud, big mouth

Who plays her wounds down small

And the girlfriend who tells her

She’s too sensitive for this world at all

She loves too long, believes too much

That warmth will stay if she gives it away

But in a circle of empty hearts

She’s forgotten how to love herself again

She just wants out of this room

Out of hands that pull and cling

She’s learning not to give her heart

To those who only crave the feeling

I’m healing, piece by piece

But you keep pulling at me

I’m healing, piece by piece

And you tear me apart here

I’m not your mirror

Not your silent “yes”

I’m healing, piece by piece

Even if it’s been harder

Today she leaves the door closed

Lets the ringing fade away

Sits down beside her own name

And learns to face it once again

No more guilt upon her skin

No applause for her pain

Just a small, tired kind of hoping

And a warm, new heart again