The Defect In Me

By Laurel Cross

When I look into the mirror,
dark eyes gaze guilessly back at me.
A seemingly normal image,
but I am not deceived.
Some flaw lurks beneath the skin,
where it festers and grows and breathes.
It hides and lies in wait,
revealing itself to everyone but me.
My fingertips trace the outline
nails scraping over the cool glass.
How I wish I could smash inside
ignoring the blood and tears and scratches.
With the precision of a surgeon
I would peel away the skin
and dig and gouge and tear out that thing!
My eyes meet those in the mirror,
the lips curve into a challenging sneer.
My hands clench into tight fists,
my body trembles at the dare.
Some day I will find the courage,
one day soon I will be free.
Once again I gaze into the mirror,
Searching for the defect in me.

Copyright © 2007 Laurel Cross.  Posted with permission.

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