Jessieh's Face

Jessieh's Face

I see the picture of you
sitting on the bus, and
it is strange...
I've never met you,
and yet...
I know that face
as well as I know my own.
The distant look in your eyes
and only we know where we are
and where we have been.
The straight line of a mouth
chin close to quivering
and the freckles that dance
along the bridge of your nose.
Only we know too well
how to distance ourselves
from the pain
to find another self to be
like slipping into a new dress
a new soul.
I can hear your voice.
I can feel your hand in mine
when all of us are afraid.
When we run from the core
of who we are.
Don't run too far.

Angela Minard 2009©