madilyn's mirror

to the girl who doesn't know she's beautiful

i imagine her happy as a child

squealing girlie sleepovers

barefoot street dancing

hopscotch freedom

before the calloused attitude

grew thicker on her lipstick smile

her heart pulsed gingerly 

and her lips cool forever laughing

curious fingers moving her hair

dangly earrings faux jewelry shined

before someone told her something

or moved her heart away

and such a gem  - a raving spectacle

poetry in flowing motion

grace that ignited envy

in her lady's court

before her reflection told a bald faced lie

and closed her lipstick smile

and now in her ink trekked journals

she has become a lyrical heretic

she is a goddess that blasphemes herself

and for the life of me

i don't know why

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Madilyn's Mirror'
m.s.early,
What defines any of us, do we even know?
It is surly not our looks.
"I imagine her happy as a child
squealing girlie sleepovers
barefoot street dancing
hopscotch freedom
before the calloused attitude
grew thicker on her lipstick smile'
You know as children we are not thinking about our definition,
we simply are and take the world as it comes. Oh, that would
be the best thing when we are all grown up.This whole poem is
really good and the ending is great. We are all different in our
beings, personality, very soul. What defines us? That is the
question.
'and now in her ink trekked journals
she has become a lyrical heretic
she is a goddess that blasphemes herself
and for the life of me
I don't know why.
Anyhow the recording of her now and seeing of her 'then.' makes this
piece very understandable. I guess to understand each other is to accept
the beauty, the worth and be patient too I think.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, you do have a way of making the ladies swoon with your writes.

[m.s.early]

(: oh stop, you're embarrassing me. just kidding... keep it coming. thanks kl :)

[highonwords]

wow, this is such a wonderful poem..it also has a bite to it...so much time for youth's promises until adulthood/reality sets in.....now that is bittersweet..thank you for sharing :)

[m.s.early]

(: you're welcome letterhead. thanks for the gracious review :)

[s y e]

Ah this is lovely. You really show and express what so many of us girls do.. This is great! It's always nice to be reminded that you're beautiful, every girl should be told that they're beautiful :)

[m.s.early]

(: indeed. You a very true. Thank you :)

[B.J]

I like it brings back memories of a different time

[m.s.early]

(: thank you barb :)

[B.J]

Your welcome

[redflutterby]

Wow this one hits a spot with me. You really express what so many females end up doing. In childhood they are free of critical self appraisel. But their teens and early adult years combined with the thoughtless comments and treatment by others makes them jaded and hypercritical. Amazing write!!

[m.s.early]

(: thanks red. i'm often disappointed (unfortunately especially by women) that they can be completely lovely inside and out and feel dejected and 'jaded' as you say. It is a terrible waste of such valuable resources. I'm currently reading "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" (single full time dad) and it is so imperative that we be uplifting when we can to all around us, but especially the young women in our lives. Their self image is so fragile. And our tongues, if not seasoned, are terribly steeled.

Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words leave permanent damage...

Thank you for taking the time to comment :)

[redflutterby]

Great book....and you have touched on a very important aspect. A daughters relationship with her father is very often reflected in how she views herself. Women who have absent, emotionally distant fathers or hyper critical fathers are more likely to suffer from self image issues which in turn lead to bad choices. Abusive relationships...devaluing of their bodys and minds. It is a sad theme played out over and over for too many females. Showing a daughter that she is loved and respected is a gift that is priceless. ;-)

[m.s.early]

Indeed......

[skyler]

i like the poem, great job.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you skyler :)

[Frieda P]

Wow, just wow...I adore this one, perhaps because it resonates in my bones.

before the calloused attitude
grew thicker on her lipstick smile

A lyrical heretic, ouch....going right into my favorites toot sweet.

100 lipstick'd raving ginger smiles

[m.s.early]

Aww... thank you Frieda. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes we're our own worse critic. Let's all lighten up a little on ourselves. My grandma use to tell me, "God don't make no junk" :) :)

[Frieda P]

Ha, your grandmother is a wise woman, and yes, so we are, especially as high strung poets....the pleasure was mine, I really enjoyed this one. :-)

[Shaun Payton]

Always wonder myself why some look upon themselves as no good and/or ugly. Sweet hearts and kind eyes are truer beauty. Some just don't see it. Or for some they are told negative things so often they buy into it.

[m.s.early]

Thank goodness for the compassion in a poet's heart! Aren't we blessed to have the gift of exploring beauty not limited to epidermic barriers? Perhaps part of our duty is to use this talent to spread the love!!!! Thanks Shaun...

[Shaun Payton]

Skin is nice, but an ugly wicked heart does it no good. I've been surprised to hear more beautiful people speak negative of themselves...I concur with you...love and respect for the depths of a person is worthwhile and inspirational.

[Brittany Zedalis]

It's very hard to feel good about yourself sometimes. I've met many people who didn't, and still don't, realize how amazing they are. Thank you for posting this! :)

[m.s.early]

(: thanks brittany :)