Reflections

Reflections of the man I am
And the man I've been
Mirror, take a look at me
Can you tell me when?
When the sadness first appeared?
When these lines first formed?
When the face you see before you
Became so forlorn?

Mirror, look beneath the surface
Look beneath the skin
Can you see into my heart?
Can you see within?
Can you see the fears I carry
With me every day?
Can you see the words
I wish I had the strength to say?

I see my reflection peering back
From the water's smooth surface, a drop in the ocean
My calm, practiced face is exuding such strength
Never betraying my raging emotions
The violent thoughts churning 'round in my head
Are filtered and sanitized before you see
The neutered and tamed thoughts which you somehow think
Represent the darkness from deep inside of me

I see my reflection from behind your eyes
But I don't recognize the man that I see
The image reflected is vaguely familiar
But so far away from the man that is me
The man that I am and the man I project
Will they ever be one and the same?
Will the real me ever respond
When I hear somebody calling my name?