Reflection

The sun had gone down
just minutes before
with no sign except
the darkened sky.
Clouds above were
invisible,
inky black,
blotting out the sunset's
brilliant palette
of vibrant colors.
Reflected in the street
illuminated by the orange
glow of tall, indifferent lamps
was a face-
smooth, young, innocent
of the exposure of
adulthood.

But those eyes.

The eyes were bright
and intelligent
with a depth that spoke
of internal aging
and growth uncommon
to the younger generation.
The eyes were full of
grief, sorrow;
a sudden need for
abandoning childhood,
stripping away all pretenses,
leaving behind a hardened
youth
with a steel core
and disciplined mind.

The reflection disappeared
with a splash
and the ripples smoothed out
the surface
left to reflect darkness
alone in the rain.