If I Looked into Your Eyes

BY CAROLE NICHOLS

Were I to look into your eyes,
I wonder what I'd see;
Past the olive green into your soul,
To the part you hide from me.

The outer eye is easily read,
There is a look of quiet sadness;
A bit of pain in corners crinkled
With lines that should be made from gladness.

There is a look of guarded caution,
As you daily greet the world;
A closed look of "keep your distance,"
In what use to be a carefree girl.

If I draw near to closely look inside,
I'd find a soul, naked and alone;
Battered and bruised by all you've lived,
Disillusioned by lies, and friends long gone.

And on the bier that held your dreams,
An alabaster coffin stands;
Holding the remains of your innocence,
The purity lost at love's hands.

My eyes fill with compassionate tears,
In my heart, I feel a kindred rush;
I long to pull you close to me,
But you shy away from even my touch.

If I were to look into your eyes,
Would I find of reflection of me?
If I pressed my face to the mirror,
Looked into your eyes, what would I see?