Fear from Inside

Peering around the corner,
I feel my heart is pounding.
Sinking to the floor,
My lungs are heaving.

Do I dare look and see that face?
No! I freeze in terror.
Every moment of every day,
I run but never get away.

I have to turn and face it,
I told myself today.
Avoidance of the monster
Would only make it stay.

Knees knocking,
I stand to my feet.
Eyes closing,
I prepare for us to meet.

Whipping around the corner,
I turn to face my foe.
My eyes meeting those eyes,
I only confirm what I know:

Those eyes, so familiar;
That expression, full of fear.
All I could see was me
Staring into the mirror.