Nineteen

Look in the mirror and what do I see?
Girl, nineteen, half-hearted smile cross her face.
Hair falls forward across her eyes.
There’s a spark in her eyes
But it doesn’t last until the second glance.

She looks happy, but tired and overwhelmed
She bits her lower lip as she looks back at you
Holding her breathe, she stares into your eyes
Wondering why you’re looking back at her.

The girl twists her hair up, keeping it in place
Her lips move to form silent words for you to read:
I want to be happy.
I nod my head at her request and she does the same to me.

Loose strands of hair are held by clips
Her lips flatten to a line like she’s thinking
Her eyes are accusatory as she draws
A black line underneath her eye.

Look in the mirror and what do I see?
Girl, nineteen, fake smile across her face
It doesn’t reach her eyes but you expected that
Her lips move to form the words: Happy now?

Written November 22 2008.