Mirror-Image

I once wrote to you that you seemed like my mirror image. When I stand before a mirror, it feels as though I am seeing you. I did not know that one could sense another person this way. You are the first person who has ever struck me as my mirror image, though I cannot fathom why.

When a disease ravages the entire body, or some contagion so fearsome that no one dares draw near for terror of infection—when such a terrible affliction takes root, no one remains at your side. And yet there is still someone who stays, who holds your frail form firmly against their chest, sheltering you in their embrace. That person—that is the one who truly loves.

This is how I love. You do not develop an intense affection for someone simply by sharing beautiful moments together; there is no real way of knowing who truly loves whom intensely until life's most difficult hours arrive. Only those who bind you to them through tenderness even in your helplessness, who stay beside you in love—only they are authentic lovers. When the test comes, the true person is revealed. All the rest are wearing masks.

I will say something strange, and you may be startled, may not even believe it. Should your capacity for physical intimacy be lost for any reason, know this with certainty: my love for you will not diminish by a single measure. I pray such circumstances never befall you, but should they come to pass, I will not abandon you.

You do not know who your true friends are—time will show you. Without hardship, everyone seems dear through honeyed words alone. Nearly all those around you are thoughtless; among them, the number of jackals is far from small. If you wish to keep yourself safe, learn to ignore people and mistrust them. Mistrust is the strongest armor. If you desire to live as a true human being, then first of all, flee from humanity itself.