Mirror, Mirror: A Punky Bisexual Chronicle

I'm proud of this one, never thought i could get these words out.

I stand in a house lined with mirrors

My family reflecting back

What I refuse to see in myself.

My mother standing in the corner of my mind

Screaming at me to be what she never was.

 

I stripped my closet of color

And occasionally forgot to speak

When all momma really wanted

Was her little girl,

A cheerleader, adorned with

Pastel pink.

 

When my mother looks at me

She seems to think she’s looking

In a mirror of what she could have been.

Sorry you disappointed yourself, momma,

But it’s not my job to stand,

A slave, on the opposite side

Of your cloudy mirror.

Sorry I’m failing you again.

 

I expect her to be rather disappointed

When I get married, you see,

Because I’ll be marrying a woman

And our first dance will be to a Radiohead song

And my wedding dress will be black

When all momma really wanted

Was her little girl,

A knock out, adorned with

Lacey white and a rich husband. 

Reviews

[Clockwork]

Writing about mothers can be a truly daunting task sometimes, especially if we feel as though we have not lived up to their cookie-cutter standards. You show us that while our mothers may not want to accept who we are, they will have to deal with the strong people we become once we take that step out of their shadow. So for those reasons, I think this is a great piece that makes a deceleration about identity. That last stanza had so many amazing details in that department. The part about the black dress, and Radiohead song were wonderful. So was this: When all momma really wanted
Was her little girl,/A knock out, adorned with/Lacey white and a rich husband." That was my favorite section of all.

[Dana Alsamsam]

my mother's standards are definitely cookie cutter...it's a lot of pressure. i mean i'm not gay, but i felt that the persona fit really what i had to say about my mom and about my identity. thanks for going back in the archives this far :)

[Clockwork]

I can understand finding that persona that fits to show what she is. You're welcome :-)

[sparkle]

wow , great one dandoun ..

[ChemicalMadness]

I. Loved. This.

Fantastic and painful and tinged with a bitter reach for hope. This was what it needed to be.

Small suggestion: adorned "in" flows better than adorned "with". Just a thought.

CM.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much for your kind words, and yes i think i agree with your suggestion!