Love at First Mirror

The first time I saw her

I mean really saw her

I was instantly in Love

I will admit

I listened to the rumors and popular opinions

I heard about her being unattractive and damaged

I knew about her being fatherless

The suicide attempts

The sexual and physical abuse

Yes, I sat there listening to the verbal abuse

I didn’t have the courage to speak up for her

I was weak and afraid

How could I speak up for someone I didn’t even know?

I would have been outcast

I knew it was wrong

Still, I did nothing

I said nothing

It wasn’t until years later

I realized that even when I didn’t see her

She had always been there

I abused and neglected her

Hated her

Just to earn the disrespect of others

I also disrespected her

Still, she was there

She is the strongest person I know

I felt guilty

I lost everything that I was prideful of

No friends or money

Just a yard with tall grass and a fine from the HOA

It was then that I decided that it was time for a change

I looked in the mirror

There she stood

Beautiful, Loyal, Smart, Creative

For the first time I saw me

I mean really saw me

I was instantly in Love