Nothing Like I Was (Poetry)

I have lost myself —
that so-carefully
crafted image kept
more or less intact
for a raft of years

This external view
for appearance sake
the best I could do
as both protection
and pure vanity

seeing as the world
judges so harshly
on the way we look
so I created
what the mirror saw

But my reflection
wasn’t set in stone
craft cannot disguise
changes life can bring
altered perspective

While such features now
seem unfamiliar
as a stranger’s eyes
search for what rings true —
that old face I knew