Unlife

(This poem originally appeared on my personal website as part of NaPoWriMo, 2013.)

unlife

it is a
Very Bad Thing
when your reflection
mocks you
teases
and baits you
living the life
you thought you shouldn’t want
deliberately taunting
with glimpses
of the other side
daring you
to reach out
and cross the great divide

you sit
and make lists
of things not to sing about
of words not to say
of memories you won’t remember
of games you can’t play
but your eyes
drift
to the mirror before you
and you watch
hard and bitter
how should have
could have been
and angrily
count blessings
exhale
shout amen
but your heart
it wonders
which life is best
which is the prize
and
which is the test

Sumayyah Talibah