I closed my eyes and fell into an eternal sleep. I felt no pain nor did I feel the need to weep. I was finally in everlasting "peace". My eyes, squinting from the brightness of my current unknown, had seen a dark figure who was small and alone. Approaching timidly his feature became clear; a round button nose was the first to appear, with colored skin kissed by the sun, his hair was a bowl that his mom did for fun. Shocked, as I finally understood who it was, I stop in my tracks, no muscle will budge. He heard my footsteps and turned his head, his eyes were sparkling but his expression looked dead.
"Who are you?" asked the helpless child, his heart began pounding as I let out a smile,"why, don't you see? I am you and you are me!". Confused, trying to understand, the boy began questioning the familiar looking man,"how could this be? That I am you, and you are me? Show me some proof and maybe I'll believe." I nodded my head and lifted my shirt to show him the scar that we've had since birth. Though mine was much older and starting to fade, he recognized our mark and was no longer afraid. He extended his hand to show he was brave, but upon our first touch came memories like waves...
He was born into a world full of screams and shouts, one small little argument and a fight would break out. The youngest of four, so his voice held no weight. He struggled to understand all the words said with hate. He knew that his parents had a lot on their plate, but he felt little love from them, and this kept him up late. Drowning in thoughts if he is to blame, calling himself all sorts of bad names, and even sometimes resorting to physical pain. His idea of love was becoming misconstrued by things he was learning or thought were true from the lost souls that were damaged too. There was hardly a moment that changed his view, so in turn he grew cold like an arctic igloo...
All of these memories came flooding back in, all from the touch of his skin on my skin. I pulled my hand back in utter fear, then his sweet face looks up and see my tears. "Why do you cry?" his voice sounded far, "the memories don't define the person we are. Just look how we've grown, you shine like a star!". Touched by his words, I drop to one knee and wrap my arms around his tiny body. We both felt love for the very first time, as we walked towards the light, his hand holding mine...
Poetry Written By Jacob Armendariz 