The Mirror's Kind Lies

By Kaustubhi Mathur

The shadows soften under my eyes,

like exhaustion weaved into stories of survival.

And for a moment... I believe the lies.

The tremor behind my smile is erased,

a reminder of hope,

a reminder of the dreams I chased.

My hands once bruised and broken,

look healed and hopeful and for a moment,

I leave the truths unspoken.

"You are fine"... A lie I adore,

a lie I have heard a thousand times before.

And I let it lie, I won't protest.

maybe because the truth burns me,

maybe because I need the rest.

I soak in the lies, warm and kind,

I thank it and quickly look away

before it chooses to change its mind.

Everytime I see it I know it's a daydream,

but this time I am not so sure....

The words seem to be breaking down my walls so secure.

By Kaustubhi Mathur