Branded

It began as a message, unspoken;

an ocular indictment in a look of disappointment.

“Why can’t you be…?”

“I wish you were…”

“Try harder.”

As the eyes dimmed, the mouth moved,

forcing words over teeth that bite through consonants.

“Why do you always…?”

“Can’t you just….?”

“Try harder!”

And, the eyes, and the words brand the heart.

Now the looks reflect off glass and the words, unspoken,

populate the quiet spaces.

“Why didn’t I…?”

“Should I have…?”

“I’m trying…”