She walks the waters edge

Solemnly she gazes into the stillness

Looking back at her, there is beauty–

A woman like none she has ever seen.

Lost in the gaze of the mysterious woman,

There was a keen sense of connection- the rhythm of her heart — with hers became one.

For a moment, she felt the beauty’s strength. Her confidence. Her kindness.  Her…hope.

Then, ashamed, she withdrew.

The voice inside her head whispered, “that will never be you.”

Darkness rested on her shoulders, and she could barely stand – suddenly she felt weak.

And in the darkness the voices emerged. 

Stone, after stone, after stone, were hurled at her, relentlessly— bouncing from her bruised and battered body into the water.

Finally, numb and beaten, she crawled back to the water’s edge — looking for the mysterious beauty she had just seen — seeking one ounce of her strength.

But the stones’ ripples stole her away — left, looking back at her, she saw her own disfigured face, creased with lines and shadows of disappointment, hopelessness, hurt, and defeat.

In the ripples she saw the one reflection she knew too well, “Oh, there you are — “

Again in shame she withdrew.  Closing her eyes and rebelling against her mind. She shouted, 

“No! This is not me!”

Lurching forward, she attacked the reflection- trying to fight back — she only longed for peace, strength,  and beauty.

She believed that just under the surface, she would find the mysterious beauty and her strength.  But the ripples of deception raged as she thrust herself into the deep.   And the cold, lonely waters swallowed her whole as she sank.

Her heart was too heavy — deception led her to sink.