Mirror Image

He caught my attention with a long, deep sigh;
It was then I noticed the defeat in his eye.
His shoulders stooped like they carried so much;
I was sure he would fall at the slightest touch.

How could a person get in that state of mind;
Was it sudden or over a period of time.
You could tell he didn't want to be alone today;
But with no one around there's nothing to say.

Why would a person be so sad for so long;
It should have been obvious before something was wrong.
Nobody can carry the burdens of the world and hide;
Because pretty soon it will eat you up inside.

Looking much deeper now I wonder anew;
Is this man a martyr or just a fool.
Will he recover from this downhill slide;
Will there be wailing and tears when they learn he died.

Now I understand why I stared and could not go;
Why his sadness held my interest so.
It was there before me but I would not see;
It's a mirror I'm facing and that man is me.