The Stranger In The Mirror

I heard a loud cry of despair, I turned around that night,    

I was startled by a stranger, she gave me a terrible fright.            

Her eyes were puffed and heavy, looked like she hadn't slept many nights,

Her face looked dull and gloomy, her hair pulled up tight.   

Her eyes spoke volumes, imploring me to help,

I was in a dilemma, should I? I asked myself.

I gave her a second look, she looked like someone I knew,

Was she from my school or my neighbourhood, my curiosity only grew.

Then it dawned on me, she was someone very dear,

Inseparable in childhood, she was a part of my growing years.

An optimist to the core, full of life and cheer,

Brave and courageous, she did not know the meaning of fear.

Somewhere, some time, while growing up, she had forgotten to smile,

Competing with others, she had started to live their lives.

She kept mindlessly racing, without stopping to know,

Did she really want this or did she do it just because the others do?

The constant struggle to excel had taken a heavy toll,

She had become miserable, with an unhappy, depressed soul.

When she realized that she would no longer be able to survive,

She took one last chance, she asked me to save her life.

I asked her to calm down and take it a little slow,

She took a deep breath to relax and distanced herself from the flow.

She realized life wasn't a race, but actually a long journey,

The fun was in enjoying each moment and making fond memories.

With a positive approach to life and regular therapy,

She started afresh, this time, stress and the extra burden she refused to carry.

The next time I saw her, she was cheerful, looked truly happy,

By seeking help at the right time, she was able to set herself free.

I no longer hated looking into the mirror, afraid of who I would see,

The stranger I saw the other day, was actually the depressed version of me.