The Woman Who Is Not Quite My Voice

She said, "I was the one in the mirror, sucking in my cheeks--
There! Do you see me? We were the princess. We were the--
"Were you the one in love with my father?" I ask, and she
laughs. Oh she laughs!
She says, "I have returned now."
I do not trust her. I say, "You want to kill me."
"No. You want to kill you. I like this body. I love this face."
"I am afraid."
"I know"
"Help me."
"Put on your makeup. Blow-dry your hair. Look in the mirror,
where I was once--"
"My heart."
"I know. I need to come back now."
"They say I will die!"
"They always say you will die..."
"My heart! My heart! This will kill me!"
"No. This will set you free. Take my hand."
And I laugh in the mirror at her because she is pretty. I laugh
because I have no other options, I have no strength to object
and I am so tired of being afraid.