Reflection

Reflection
The first time I looked in the mirror I saw
A bright eyed young girl full of ambition
Ready to explore the earth beneath her feet
Time passes by so quickly
The second time I looked in the mirror I saw
A teenager with cheeks flushed
From the first experience of love
Time passes by again
This time I look in the mirror I still see a teenager
But this teenager
Has blackened eyes not from make up
Her cheeks are molten yellow of fading bruises
With a flow of crimson escaping from her mouth
I glance away
Then my eyes flicker back
The girls still there but this time she not alone
The man’s hands creeping closer to her throat
Now her cheeks are chalk white
Her eyes blank
And lips blue
She saw her life flash before her eyes
Before he took it away
Her abusive boyfriend ruined her and took her life