Of late I'v avoided a known face. It happened overtime. Quietly, without much thought we avoided looking each other in the eye. The long deep and searching gaze a thing of the past. I look and hastily look away with an unsettling twinge deep within. Knowing that I didn't give my best, that I indulged my senses a tad too much and have paid the price in loyalty. In my hasty looking away I glimpse an equally defeated eye ... a sense of fear, resignation? Maybe....
This, my reflection, my friend from the past, now distant and withdrawing. Today I thought, enough of this. My friend and constant companion, if I not love thee, who will. I bravely stood in front of the mirror. At first my eyes slide away. I force them back on this dear familier self. Same but yet not the same. Quietly I pick out the unfamiliar, the strange. Frown lines newly formed on my brow. Clamouring to surface in deep undulating waves....strange and new but as I keep gazing, .... beautiful!!! Yes beautiful.
This amuses me and break out in a smile, only to be startled with more unfamiliar...lines, gossamare fine webed the corners of my eyes....unfamiliar ..yet strangely...those fine lines reach out to twine round my heart....yes..I'm in love...
So I continue to stare long and deep into dulled eyes and scorched skin fast losing its sheen. A downward curve to the mouth and a not too slight hint of jowl cheeks and chin. A wave to my old paternal aunts.
So with each passing minute that I stood to stare I found my friend again. Deep within the fading skin and hair the same familier twinkle....still me....still with me.... ready to walk the rest of the path unfolding ahead....maybe a new adventure. Together and comfortable in each others presence.
