What did you do?

When the days stretched long,

and the darkness came to play?

Loneliness and longing,

pulling at your sleeves,

whispering in your ear.

Did you fight their grasp?

Did you scream for silence?

Did you beg them to go away?

What did you do?

To be happy?

To be successful?

Everything you ever asked for,

placed in your hands—

silver platter, golden chance.

But you,

too blind to see the blessing,

too wrapped in ache to feel it.

Did you thank the Lord?

Did you even realize how blessed you are?

What did you do?

When you looked in the mirror?

Did you see yourself?

Brown hair. Almond eyes.

People tell you you’re beautiful.

You nod,

but you don’t believe them.

Not really.

Did you ever look and see only grace?

Or do you still leech the light

from your own reflection,

afraid to claim it as yours?