Where Has She Gone?

I once knew a girl. She was fun, laughed a lot, carefree. I used to tell her she couldn't do things. She would smile and say- watch me. She had passion like no other. Used to think her so unwise, but everyone else saw a great girl, wish I had've seen through their eyes. I used to tell her she should watch the things she would say and she used to laugh and say them again anyway. I used to know her well, but thought her ridiculously naive. Didn't know much about life, always in a state of oblivion, it seemed. It used to make me mad that she was always so sure of herself, always knew exactly what she wanted, never needed people's help. Many times she didn't succeed but she sure did keep on going. Not resting til she made change, moved the world without even knowing. She would put her entire heart and soul into every conversation she had. She would tell them everything, she would want to know everything about them. She was loving, She was sweet. She was a great friend. I tried to change her, saying that her foolish ways should end. For some reason one day, she finally listened to me. I watched her fall, slip through the cracks of some uncertainty. I watched her be angry, I watched her cry, I watched her fall apart. I kept saying to her 'be who you always were' but she couldn't find it within her heart. Somehow she forgot who she was. She forgot how to feel certain feelings. I see her now. I don't know her as well, but I see her struggle to find healing. She's trying to find a way out of the person she became. I feel so sad, but I only have myself to blame. I see her eyes. Same eyes, but something's missing. Passion? Laughter? I don't know what it is. Now I wish I never told her to change.

I look down at her, looking low. Never should have traded places with my shadow.