Epiphany by Anonymous (17, New Jersey)

He stands before me
So close—yet so far
He stands just as still as I, Same gaze, same expression Silently mocking me
To him, I am empty
An ornate porcelain vase

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In the far corner of a dim attic Rarely entered, rarely seen
The vase has stood, silently,
Far longer than anyone remembers But cracks have begun to appear— Can a facade be forever maintained? A bitter smile. He knows.
There is a void inside
Always consuming, chipping away at its vessel I’ve fed it distractions, work, and pride--
He chuckles. It’s been futile.
A being made up of shadows
Wandering in limbo,
The line between reality and nothingness Simply because he knows not
What awaits on the other side--
Can this routine be forever maintained? A bitter smile. He knows. I know.
Yet, my words rust, never heard
My thoughts mix with the depths of the night The view from the top floor is rather beautiful, He says. While the others may care--
Do you?
My voice resounds through the night sky
As he shatters into a million pieces
The glass twirls and spins beautifully in the moonlight He is still there, reflected in each glistening shard
But he has conceded. Now I will make the most of it— The hand that life dealt us 

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