When Mirrors Embrace

I love him

Even when I don’t feel like it 

And that hurts 

He struggles in silence 

Not knowing that I am all ears

I am ready for him 

I am ready to listen to his pain and his hunger and his cries 

But he says nothing 

He postpones plans 

And works some more 

Killing himself over night shifts into early mornings into 2 hour cat naps 

Then he does it all again 

And I am here, arms open and ready 

For his body to collapse into mine 

Melding into me so that he doesn’t have to confront the world anymore 

And I am a rock forged by lava 

Porous and light, but firm 

Love flowing through me

But I remain steady for him

Slowly crumbling on the inside, trying not to crack 

Holding it in for him, remaining silent 

Holding in my pain and my hunger and my cries 

And I collapse into him

Afraid of the world’s horrific gaze 

Avoiding it at all costs 

And we are mirrors 

Comforting mirrors

Seeing only reflections of ourselves 

When really 

All we need is to see inside