In the Mirror I See You

dedicated to henry

In the Mirror I See You: A Love Poem

 

In the mirror I see you.

Early morning light, angel bright,

in my eyes and dancing across

our freckles

blinding for a second

before the double vision of

you and me strays even

more out of focus as we kiss.

 

In the tiny bathroom,

your arms around my waist,

my heart collides with your reflection

and it cannot -- will not -- heal.

 

In the mirror I see you

-- and have seen you,

your green eyes haunting me

before 'love' had meaning

when it was just a jumble of

loose vowels and tricky consonants

and I was blowing bubbles in my milk.

 

Even then I knew Barbie had Ken

and you had me.

 

I saw you the first time that summer,

your smile hopelessly wide.

I didn't stand a chance

because -- god, I love your smile.

My heart stretched and ached with

pleasure, the sails of a great ship,

white and golden from the winds

of our love.

 

I see you a million times a day

in kisses, in laughter, in the smell of

cut grass, the heady scent of the sun.

So much light, glimmering,

as tangible as hope

touching your skin, the fine hairs

of your arms. I see you in love.

 

Darling -- 

I will see you forever

because when I look in the mirror

I see you in me.

 

Reviews

[just rose.]

My first response to this was, ah, yes. I love the vision of kissing in mirrors. But then I realized, that what the poem's narrator is seeing, is something that only she sees -- what's been left behind and what was lost, but still is found, in her. As always, you do brilliantly by this with the surprising details that are fresh and well-placed -- you don't expect, for example. the word "freckles" but it is perfect and absolutely lifts the line to bliss. The loving the smile to the point of disarmament -- yes, yes. I've sat in therapy appointments shouting, "But his stupid beautiful ARMS!" or "why does he have to wear those goddamn BOOTS that make me weak!" -- it's almost as if we could understand WHY we are so bonded to these small aspects of another's magic, we might begin to understand our affinity toward them. And all that longing from when the narrator was forming in her mind the IDEA of love – Barbie and Ken – and then as it goes on, as expressed in this relationship ... it makes me ache for her, because we all know what that is. But then, it ends, for me, on a note of hope, and makes me think of the permanence of having loved -- no one can take it away; it's the strongest thing in the world, it defies distance and difference and even death, and it never ends.

[Antonio Valentino]

"I see you a million times a day
in kisses, in laughter, in the smell of
cut grass, the heady scent of the sun.

So much light, glimmering,
as tangible as hope
touching your skin, the fine hairs
of your arms. I see you in love.


Darling --

I will see you forever
because when I look in the mirror
I see you in me."


I could die happy if someone wrote something like that for me.

That was more then beautiful Sara.

It was the glimmer of gorgeousness.
Antonio xx

[Patient Poet (Yos)]

You are very good ! .... this is the most refreshing love poem I read for long time , you wisely didnt go into too much sweetness Yossi

[Shalini Dinesh]

very romantic, when we love someone so very deeply we find them everywhere and dream about them , and this poem is so lovely ...

Darling --
I will see you forever
because when I look in the mirror
I see you in me.

i liked those lines much though i liked the whole poem, that was my fav

[Devons]

Great title! And this is a beautiful piece of work. Dappled with lovely imagery and so nice to look upon...

"In the mirror I see you
-- and have seen you,
your green eyes haunting me
before 'love' had meaning
when it was just a jumble of
loose vowels and tricky consonants
and I was blowing bubbles in my milk."

...this stanza, in particular, stands out. And I really adored this little distracted aside..

"because -- GOD, I love your smile."

Excellent work.

[Gheeneil]

As I was reading the first few verses, I was thinking the persona saw him in her and the last line confirmed such a thought. This was a beautiful piece: very inspiring and full of powerful emotion such as love. It's very well-written too, if I might add. Keep writing.

[Epiph!]

this is sooooo romantic! sounds personal!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

My oh my, this is lovely! You are a very talented writer!

"My heart stretched and ached with

pleasure, the sails of a great ship,

white and golden from the winds

of our love."

That is just superb! Love the line about blowing bubbles in your milk too. Fabulous and real...more please.

[Sara]

@rodrick: hey, just wanted to say thank you again for your poetry... i sent you a message (i think it should flag you at the top titlebar on your screen) and accepted your request. :)

[Rodrick Franklin McLare..]

Sorry not reviewing, I received your note :), applied to be a friend. I'm new to WritersCafe and don't know how it all works yet. Hope you don't mind me using your review this way, Since I bumped into your spot here and read your wonder. Stole your picture Ha ha ha, to inspire. I've had a vision stuck in my imagination, I'd like to share with you. Tried to figure out how to mail it, and couldn't. So I put it here. It is an impression of you, I like it. It isn't stalker stupid. Just a writer. An Empath Ro.

A bright lemon yellow print, Sun Dress chosen. Perfect, for this outing...

Yes, a bright sunny spot to find. An lay out there. In the new spring grass. Let that special smell, of that seasons breeze. Wash over you. Let fluffy weightless clouds about. Steal your imagination away, and take it. Were it will today. Maybe borrow, a classical moment. Of that timelessness. Where Creation, moves you. With the power, of The Mothers breath. Fill your spirit, as you reach out and smooth, that dress. Just to shiver, at its fabrics feel and smile. Happy. With wee choices, made. To got out, and experience. This day. Warmed, by morning Sun. Enfolded, by grace... as, The Love. In the surround. Embrace, you. Just because.