i see her.

she approached wearily to the water’s edge,

as if scared of her reflection.

her knees indented the soft clay soil

and her hair hung down across her face.

she wept.

the reeds swayed to comfort her.

the young frog tried to raise her spirits.

down below the water’s glazed surface,

my world floated quietly.

i swam in rhythmic circles,

just deeper than her insecurities would let her see.

through glassy tears,

the girl fixated on her reflection.

ripping and tearing it at its weakest seams.

she cursed the paper white skin.

the lips like thin petals.

and of course,

she scoured at her nose.

it was a mountain range that divided her face.

i wished to pull her under,

with her back pressed against the pond’s bottom,

she could see herself on the banks

and realize how cruel she was.

if i could speak,

i would tell her that

she was worthy

and enough.

that whether her reflection held

wild ripples or still water.

she deserved to swim among

the uncharted depths of the pond.

that after many days

she will become more than the

reflection.

she will become the pond itself.

one day

she will unlearn the manufactured beauty.

unsee the flaws.

unhear the mocking tones and invasive opinions.

she will find the

divine love for herself.

and she will return to the pond.

this time she will not weep.

she will apologize to a friend.

among the willows and foxtail, the girl sat.

she leaned over the crystal water once again.

i was suspended in the glossy liquid

while i watched as

the reflection forgave the girl