Exposed

I can see her clearly

This girl
Insecure

Unsure of everything
Especially herself

Undisclosed secrets
Avoided

Fearful

A little girl
Trapped inside
Screaming to be released

Hope at war with logic
Waging a battle
For her weary soul

She has mastered the art
Of protection
Self-preservation
Building walls around herself

Distance brings loneliness
Disillusionment
Despair

Insecurity
Leaking indifference
Pride
Showing through the cracks

To all appearances
She is arrogant
High-and-mighty
Better-than

But inside
Behind her walls
She kneels

Confused
Desperate
Searching

A little girl lost
Broken

Scarred
Bruised
Bleeding

This girl has been silent
For so long
She has forgotten
To ask for help

I take a step back
Pausing
And realize

This girl I see
So clearly

Is my reflection