Reflection Replaced

I find my person to be defined by my reflection in others. What they think of me, what they do to and with me. These are the most important things in me - they are what spill over into the world. Anything that is completely internalized can change nothing.

I am no stranger to identity crises, but one thing I have always been able to lean on was my reflection in the actions and words of others. Once suddenly denied these reflections, or once they become distorted, I am uprooted. I no longer know myself. Those precious things that were granted to me only by reciprocating, they are no longer. It is not a wise thing to root so closely into these few actions. But given enough temptation... There was no refusing.

Some trinkets are too shiny to pass up. Some moments are too grand, too confusing, too involving to not completely dissolve into. And once in a while, even beauty outshines every other, regular concern. But once you make either of these things yours, you set yourself up for defeat. Trinkets are but trinkets, moments are fleeting and one way or the other, beauty will be lost.

My beauty was but the reflection in the eyes of a true love. Without that, my laughter rings hollow, my eyes are clouded and my self... As fragile as love can be. Now, someone else is in the reflection. Mine is gone and I am stuck in the mirror, looking out as someone has replaced me, superceded me.