I saw her yesterday
and I knew
I knew her bloodshot eyes
her scarred body
and her mangled hair
just as if they were my own

I felt the pain
endured that day
because she was different
and alone.

I wanted to shout to her
"I'm an outcast too!
You're not abandoned anymore!"
But when I looked through her glassy eyes
straight into her dejected soul
I knew she couldn't
wouldn't
hear me.

So with the same broken look,
we parted ways
Yesterday.

I woke up today and saw her again
but instead of the frail bones
and ashy skin I knew so well,
she looked different.

Today she had washed her wounds
and braided her hair.
She walked with confidence.

I held my breath

unsure if I saw clearly.
She had been hopeless for so long,

But as I let out my breath
and smiled
for the first time in years,

she mirrored me.
And then I knew I was going to be okay.
**Today.