Little Mirror

A poem I wrote one night while watching my adoptive brother

My little mirror
Pitter-pattering behind me
Stops as I stop
Turns as I turn--but never fully
His eyes always on me
As a godly protector in his innocent world
Claiming heights he can only dream of
For now.

I tilt my head at him
He does the same
A small smile
His own shines back at me
Glowing in the lamplight
I walk again.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter
Stop
He peers over the counter
Eyeing every move
Unsure as of yet
Just how to mimic.

The food goes in the bowl
The bowl is in my hand
His eyes widen with wonder and joy
He forgets his place as my shadow
My mirror
His small steps beat mine to the microwave.

The food goes in
He closes the door, pushes the button
He grins as he watches the warm light
And the food, dancing
Calling to him
I smile, and for once, he does not mirror
He is enthralled.

His food goes down fast
I watch, smile
His spaghetti sauce grin beams out at me
Then he dives in again.

He's finished soon, eager for dessert
Watermelon tonight
We divvy it up.

Slurp, it's fresh
He grins and does the same
Sugary juice drips down his chin
I shove a large chunk into my mouth
Smile past the watery sweetness
He smiles back and does the same.

Late now, he's getting tired
Mimicking my own exhaustion
All unplanned
He'd mirror all night if he could.

Washed up, full, content
My mirror curls up in my lap
Wrapped in a warm towel
Eyelids drifting slowly downward.

No way to tell what he's thinking
I'll know in time
When the mirror image fades
And becomes a painting all its own.

I'll take my mirror over your portrait any day...

My mirror sleeps.

Reviews

[I Am Svetlana]

This was very empowering and heartfelt. I could tell you put your emotions into this with anger and tired of "his" eyes being on you all the time, as if he craves you somehow. But that's not the point, the point is you want him out and not near you at all for any reason, you're sick and tired of him gazing at you and everything. This poem expresses how strong you are to know what's right and wrong, to know why he does this stuff to make himself feel better. Great poem!

[Cool Handless Luke]

Very touching and heartwarming and I totally agree with you! Beautifully crafted!