A random thought...

[wiriamu]

On viewing an old picture of myself

I look at the picture,
Then compare it
To it’s current incarnation.
My TuID card is placed
Next to the boy’s face.
A girl stares back at me.
I look to the left
And a boy stares back at me.
The skin has acne.
The grin is forced and phony.
The hair is short and messy.
The eyes are dull and lifeless.
The boy says,
Silently,
so no one will hear him cry,
“Help me.
I’m dying.
I’m suffocating.
Take me with you
Wherever you go.”
I could be describing any picture.
But this girl is describing herself.
I look to the right.
The girl says
With concern in her voice,
“I want to help you.
But you have to believe
(as hackneyed as it seems)
that your mind is free.
Follow me to a new land
Where the air is fresh and clean.
Where you can be
Yourself
And finally feel human,
And not like a farce.”
I see a familiar face.
The skin is clear.
The smile is genuine.
The hair is long and straight.
But the eyes! The eyes are alive!