Mutual Narcissists

i am selfish as any other;
did i fool you

a well-constructed 
façade collapses and 

i am small - again

thick with unmet needs, 
a ravenous hunger for 

unable to extend 
the benefit of, 
overcome by doubt 

we ignore a 
beauty we might 
have mirrored 

face-to-face
with our kindred, 
secret ugly selves 

is this the end 
of an impossible 
innocence

or the path to 
a more honest us

Wise Beyond Years

it's alright, he said, to comfort me
all you tried to do was care about someone;
it doesn't matter if another doesn't reciprocate,
rejects you, or misunderstands you;
it matters that you loved

I'm sorry that you're hurt, he said;
remember there are those to
whom your willingness
means everything;
it matters that you love them

First Last

opposites 
at either end 
pull toward 
the other 

necessary 

first carries, last seeks; 
too much, too little 

on their respective paths, 
polarity reverses; 

first shakes loose, 
last is overwhelmed