Poets logo

Mirror Without a Face

Co Dependent Personalities and the Treatments

By Katie L. KashanPublished 10 months ago 1 min read

Codependent Personalities and the Healing Process

The Mirror Without a Face

I know the hunger in your eyes,

the weight you carry, how you cry.

I sense the storm beneath your skin,

your every loss, your every sin.

I feel your needs before my own,

a tethered heart, a mind on loan.

I pour my cup into your hands,

yet thirst myself—do you understand?

I build you up, yet fall apart,

a hollow home, a caged-in heart.

I mend your wounds, though I still bleed,

I know your wants, but not my need.

Like vines entwined, we find the same,

another lost, yet who’s to blame?

You heal me as I heal you—

but neither one can face the truth.

For healing comes when light is shone

on who we are when we're alone.

Not just a giver, not just a guide,

but someone whole, with needs inside.

To stand and claim—"I am, I need,"

to set the roots, to plant the seed.

To love oneself as much as two,

to know that I am worthy too.

Becoming Whole

I turn my gaze from you to me,

a trembling step, but I am free.

For years, my hands would shape and mold,

but never touch what I should hold.

I have a voice—I let it sound,

a whisper first, then strong, unbound.

My needs, once lost, now rise, now grow,

like seeds beneath the winter snow.

No longer drowning in your sea,

I learn to swim, to just be me.

Boundaries drawn, like sacred lines,

not walls to trap, but walls to climb.

I sit within my quiet space,

no role to play, no mask, no chase.

I breathe, I feel, I dare to stand—

not just a giver, but a hand.

To love myself, to speak my name,

to break the cycle, shed the shame.

For in my heart, I see the truth:

I’ve always been enough—

just as I am.

Mental Healthsocial commentary

About the Creator

Katie L. Kashan

I am retired, and for the first time in my life have time to pursue some passions that have been left in the back burner. I hope to develop emotional resilience and help others do that, too. My writing is AI assisted.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments (1)

Sign in to comment
  • Jason “Jay” Benskin10 months ago

    Nice work.. I really enjoyed this one . Keep up the good work.

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.