The Mirror

  

I hear it said, “The mirror never lies”

But as I look into my own eyes

I can’t help but wonder.

For do those lines on my face

Really tell about who I am

Or just the wear of age.

What about the stories behind

The backward image I see

Thinking how appropriate it is.

Smiling doesn’t change anything

Except me lying to cover up

The pains that won’t dissipate.

Looking away then looking back

Nothing changes but the clock

That seems to be going in reverse

And wishing I could use that illusion

To redo the things that matter

Better then the déjà vu’s I endure.

One last look before I turn away

Suddenly it occurs to me

To change things would alter fate

And maybe change whom I am inside,

That I wouldn’t want to change

And for anyone who can’t see

That I am much deeper then what they see

Can simply look in the mirror themselves.

Reviews

[Winter McPherson]

Very profound. The mirror doesn't tell the whole story. We are so much more then the outward appearence and you've captured that well in this piece. One little typo maybe...should that last line read "Can simply look in the mirror themselves."
Having said that, I really liked the ending the most. If anyone can't see who you really are they should look in the mirror themselves. Excellent insight!

[Liza]

Mirror work is always an interesting and thoughtful practice. It is amazing the reflection we perceive of ourselves because we see ourselves each day. We sometimes take our image for granted because there is nothing new about seeing our reflections each day but when we truly gaze through our eyes and in try to reach that window of the soul, we find so many evaluations, emotions and concepts. Mirror work is a mysterious way to connect mind to body and mind to soul....thank you for sharing your reflection.

[Sheila Kline]

Dale, what a wonderful introspective write this is! How true it is that others are unable to fathom who we really are behind a face, an image, as it is our spirit and attitude of the heart that determines our worth, as it controls our actions, and puts the signature on who is the real "us".
This is a most enlightening poem!
Sheila

[Donna DeLong Matthews a..]

No one sees us as we do and the mirror reflects
different things to different people. It appears
most times that we ourselves are our hardest
critic. Very deep poem and I try to avoid
mirrors myself. Good poem my friend
Hugs
D

[Philosophile. (Maddy)]

The images presented in the mirror are confusing. I experienced this yesterday in the bathroom while trying to decipher the foggy image in front of me. You present the confusion of identity in regards to the 'bigger picture' (as they say) well. The flow with this was excellent, and the message something I could relate to. Well done!

[Colleen C Dunphy]

"The expression on your face.
The look in your eyes.
So foriegn.
I can't read you.
Don't know what you're thinking.
Confusion passes over.
Who are you anyway?
How did you come to be here?
What is it that you want from me?
I lean forward,
You lean forward.
Confusion deepens.
Raise my hand to the cold glass,
Palm to Palm.
Nose to nose.
Who are you?"

I wrote that yesterday, then read your poem today.

[Brenda Sue]

I like this, very well written. The funny thing is that the mirror is telling more every day that I am my mother. Great write. Wonderful job.

[Helen Woodward]

Yes, a very true observaton Dale, advance, never retreat...don't look back, always look to the future for happiness. Whether the past was happy or not, you can never re-live old times, it isn't just the mirror, it is all the actions and words. Most of us have earned every line, it is what lies before us that matters because we have control over our destiny by making good choices in all we do :-)
I liked the idea of this and you have presented it well.
Whom/who...

[Laura E. Aranda]

I really like this feature write
It is a simple conversational almost write
And it ends on a high note....very positive
Wisdom can be gained from reading this piece
Cheers,lea

[1809 Black Plague Decem..]

great melody, I can almost hear the narration,

---mishel

[Flow]

The man in mirror... Do we always ask these questions when we look at the affects of time upon or face. Some are earned through battles, others through worries of our own soul then some are just age teaching us we are becoming old. Why don't we ask these questions when we are young? Wisdom now bleeds from your pen that you ink into our minds.. Great write~