Emery Walker

Stuck

Stuck, standing at the mirror

Still and reflective like a pond

That tempts me to disrupt its peace.

I stare at the figure in front of me,

He stares back at me, wide-eyed

With resentment and anger.

I graze the jawline on both of us,

And feel stubble of a beard,

So I lather my face with foam

And viciously shave it off

To look less like him.

I run a hand through my hair

And watch as he goes to buzz it off.

I notice how he slouches at me

So I stand more upright

Like there’s a pin under my chin.

I lower my voice so the sound

Of anger doesn’t shatter the view.

I change so much,

But when I look back at the reflection

It’s just me.