Vader In The Mirror

That “I’m locked in” face.

—Jig3125

I caught it in the bathroom light, half-awake, looking at my own eyes like, yeah… today might be one of those days. Not bad. Just serious. Focused. Quiet. Like the world can do what it does—I’m still showing up.

The funny part is, the mask isn’t always anger. Sometimes it’s discipline. Sometimes it’s protection. Sometimes it’s just the way you move when you’ve learned that not everybody deserves access to your soft side.

The Bronx teaches you that without even trying. You learn how to read a room fast. How to keep your energy tight. How to stay calm when things get loud.

But I also know the line.

Because if you stay in that mode too long, you start treating everybody like they’re a threat. You start answering love with distance. You start turning every conversation into a test.

So when I see Vader in the mirror, I don’t fight it. I just check in.

Am I focused—or am I guarded?

Am I protecting my peace—or avoiding connection?

Am I building—or just bracing?

Some days the mask stays on. I handle business. I move clean. I keep it simple.

Other days I take it off on purpose— laugh a little more, step outside and let the day touch me.

Vader in the mirror.

Not the enemy. Just a reminder: balance.