Two Sides of a Coin

Every room we walk into is a room of mirrors.
Standing face to face with the reflections of those around us, we go each about our days
hiding within panes of glass.

I was running errands the other day. At the convenience store,
I struggled to count the money from my wallet.
The cashier and I locked eyes. She looked at me funny; at my pitiful reflection fumbling for coins.

After paying in cash, I left with embarrassment,
my tall glass pane bumping into the doorframe.

Does she know that I’m an intellectual person?
If she could pull my innermost thoughts out of me,
like crumpled dollars from my wallet,
would she respect me more?

If only I could lower the mirror in front of me
and reveal myself to her.

But only our reflections show
in the eyes of those passing by.
And only us, ourselves,
will ever see what lies behind —

Two sides of a coin.