Overdue Apologies
By Ashley O’Hare
I stand with my back to the mirror
because the reflection is getting older and meaner.
I know I owe it an apology,
so I am counting to one from three.
Three seconds to restore my nerve
after years of being closely observed.
One deep breath in
before we shall begin.
I am sorry for the judgment—
those insults were quite redundant.
I am sorry for stepping out of line—
my words have never before been so unkind.
I am sorry I still cannot turn around—
my heart is slow on the rebound.
ashleyohare 