An echo is not a voice

   Where has my voice gone?  When I want to speak I see no purpose in the effort; this goes far toward making me wonder: when I look into a mirror, will I see my reflexion?  When I speak there is no one to hear me, to respond or react, to in any way acknowledge that a voice was heard, nor even that a sound was made; and, when I gaze into a mirror, what shall I see?  Shall I see a stranger or a face reflected that is recognizable?  When I look at a window with an opaque backing, I see the general outline of a figure, but the features that should distinguish my silhouette from any other remain darkened and shapeless.  What am I seeing?
   An echo is not a voice, as a reflexion is not a person.  As obvious as this may seem, memory is as poor a substitute as reflexions, representations, impressions, etc., yet we rely on these things to feel connected in some way.  An important question remains: To what do we truly feel connected? to the actual or to impressions?  Throughout our lives we accommodate a persona that fits the self-image we foster; however, this is also not the 'self' any more than is an echo or a reflexion, yet we continuously give profound importance to how others see us.  (It's fair to say this, as vast swaths of the media as well as social obligations are hinged on impressions both created and received.)  Admittedly, without reflexion we couldn't imagine ourselves otherwise, dreaming would be impossible, planning would seem pointless, and setting goals would approach foolishness, and because it would done in vain, then it would also be vulgar; without the actual, however subjective, reflexion of any sort could not exist, and our interactions would at best be only theoretical.
   If I were told, I need you, then I would be drawn into the actual around which would spring a panoply of impressions that would serve to embellish and define me.  If I were told, I want you, then, although I would be flattered, I would ever be in search of the source of the echo.

Let me need not what my heart desires to become whole.
Let me desire what my heart needs to become complete.
Let me be desired by a heart that needs my heart.