When I Look in the Mirror

If you've ever struggled with self image or body dysmorphia such as myself, this poem might comfort you.

When I look in the mirror, 

I'm expected to see something beautiful on the exterior. 

 

"Self-love," the anthem of a 21st century lie my sweet little girl ears took.

Where I am a habit of purchasing products that like a Band-Aid temporarily fixes whatever damaged self-image I'd partook. 

 

What happens when you only see wants in the 

interior, below the surface, below the flesh. 

 

What if that's what I hope to see?

For when I look in the mirror it's the exterior I'm blinding myself to be. 

 

The flesh that's unlike the flesh on billboards, on

Teen Vogue, in New York fashion week. 

 

What if below the surface is where I hope to be?

Away from my own being,

away from facing the physicality that curses me. 

 

What then do I face when I look in the mirror? 

When merrily a second's glance of who I am creates a schizophrenic need, a hostility, 

a virus festering within my mentality. 

 

When I look at myself in the mirror?

I'm I truly willing to face the exterior? 

 

Reviews

[AliciaB]

It's hard, in terms of body image, to be female in our culture. (Men have plenty of struggles with self-image too, but I'll stick with the women's side for now, since that's my area of expertise.) :) Even with "anthems" of "self-love" and being taught that we're beautiful just the way we are, each of us still battles the subconscious belief that we're not pretty enough. And when we try to go below the surface to find our true worth, we face the brokenness and imperfection that plagues all human beings. Great work on this poem.

[Jamestown]

Well written and expressed!
Young ladies have such pressure to look a certain way,
because of the media and so on:)
Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[sinNsincerity]

I love this because I hate looking into mirrors. It's not me, it's not the spirit within.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

Whoa, you have a great depth of beauty. It's like I have to hold my breath when I read, but I see amazing things and feel amazing when I do. It's the way you write, the words you use; beautiful!

[DonKris]

i love this it was a pleasure to be able tho read this