The mirror (much too bluntly accurate)
like a camera clicking on an instant,
sheds light on consequence of time.
I see me,
a speck of dust in something timeless perhaps,
but now a woman
human, flawed within perfection,
life's wrinkles digging skin,
tinted lies on colorless hair,
shrinking bones, flesh stretching down
to meet gravity's extended arms
offering an embrace of old.
"All is relative", someone said.
So as for beauty, the beholder
will decide, but she knows
the nature of its depth.
The mirror fails to reflect
in her eyes, lives a child
of constant birth, seeking to suckle
life 'til dry, to discover growth
of soul, as the body declines.
The mirror sees a forgettable image,
aging Latina, features unremarkable,
of diminished stature and expanded girth
but this vision I must contradict,
though my opinion seems narcissistic,
unrealistic at the least,
I see me beautiful, molded the only way
I could have been, uniquely sculptured
in this shell, where life has lived
me so very well.
(Submitted to Dverse Poets where we are challenged to write a self-portrait, and to Poets United.)
mirrors make for good liars....smiles...its too honest you know...and so superficial...smiles....ah you are beautiful...life has lived me so very well...that is what i love to hear myrna...smiles.
ReplyDeletehappy saturday to you...
If only mirrors would show us how we 'think' we ought to look and not how we do look, eh.
ReplyDeleteBut, as I say to my teen, every wrinkle I have has been well earned. LOL
I see me beautiful, molded the only way
ReplyDeleteI could have been, uniquely sculptured
in this shell, where life has lived
me so very well....oh i like this...we're so much more than what we see in the mirror..and good to look at ourselves with the eyes of love..
Myrna, I just hate how beautiful your poetry is. You do know why, too, don't you? I've completely run out of adjectives to describe just how wonderfully you write! And THIS one....this one is my favorite of all....so far! Simply stunning!
ReplyDeleteAh, lovely! I like our contradiction of mirror which I am sure is more accurate - very very nice k.
ReplyDeleteAgree - this is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and emotionally affecting. Your honesty is touching and I don't think your view of yourself is narcissistic but healthy self love. As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so often we forget to apply this to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteexcellent response Myrna. Such a strong ending, I love the rational self contradicting the other side of self, really great close. I love the sensibility and strong theory built into the opening stanza, I tend to gravitate to thoughts like this. Really enjoyed, so happy you shared this with us tonight. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this so much. You are right, the mirror does not reflect the child of constant birth within ..... or the depth of a person. The mirror is definitely 'flawed' as a judge of what is most important.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see yourself beautiful in all the vivid realism. Well written.
ReplyDeleteThe mirror sees a forgettable image,
ReplyDeleteaging Latina, features unremarkable,
of diminished stature and expanded girth
but this vision I must contradict,
Good for you Myrna! In fact all of the last stanza showed how determined you are to stamp your authority. Yes, you are on the right path!
Hank
..the reality that our bodies are but shells and vehicles for our physical travel rings out here...you are lovely, dear.....
ReplyDeleteA healthy self-image reflects acceptance, and I can see from the last stanza that you are very content.
ReplyDeleteI love the positiveness in the entire piece particularly your summation. Lovely capture of you in a mirror and in your mind.
ReplyDeleteI love how you accepted yourself and I thank you for the comment you left on my poem, it really seemed from the heart.
ReplyDeleteI like the positive view of yourself, beautiful and full of wisdom ~ never lose sight of that child and vision of yourself ~
ReplyDeleteI SO LOVE THIS!!!!!!!! The "child of constant birth", the "growth of soul", and especially your closing lines, where "life has lived me very well." Absolutely wonderful writing. And a great inner philosophy.
ReplyDeleteOf all the truth the mirror tells, perhaps the smile is the greatest.
ReplyDelete"Growth of soul as the body declines"
ReplyDeleteMystery of being alive!
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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"Tinted lies"...what a striking summation. The description of gravity was fantastic, too. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAnd we see you beautiful. Mirrors are after all mirrors which mirror the image but the real 'we' is beyond that mirror image.
ReplyDeleteJoy always,
Susan
a child
ReplyDeleteof constant birth, seeking to suckle
life 'til dry, to discover growth
of soul, as the body declines.
...love that...and your perspective too. Who we 'are' is not found in a mirror's reflection alone. Great piece.
I see, sense, KNOW beauty shining from you my friend...and you reflect that out to all of us, I'm glad you see it too... I hope you will participate in the gratitude quilt this year… instructions are here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shinethedivinecreativityisaspiritualpractice.com/2012/10/gathering-gratitude-quilt-time-again.html
gentle steps,
laura