I found my former self

in an abandoned alley

in the back of my brain. 

She was sitting against the graffiti,

bandaged knees tucked to her beating heart,

trying to fade into herself. 

I shouted her name

hoping for any sign of recognition

but all she did

was slowly look up. 

With blinking honey-colored eyes,

thick lashes sticking together

like shadows to a person. 

I saw the confusion

as it settled onto her face

and knew what my answer was

before she even asked. 

"Who are you?" She asked. 

"I'm you," I responded. 

"After you let go

of all the nasty weighted things

that you tend to hold

so close to your heart. 

"I'm you," I said. 

"After you let go."