What stares back from the mirror?
Simple reflections, tricks of light,
A view of outer myself,
As I appear to the world
Meer glass and metal,
Shaped and worked.
Made by Man’s hand,
To work its unnatural magic.
What stares back from the mirror?
The creature inside,
Struggling for control,
Fighting to get out.
Abrogation, monstrous visage,
A blighted sore to the eye.
Right and decent character,
Making the world a better place.
What stares back from the mirror?
An angel within,
Trapped in a cage
Scrambling to be free.
Beauty and graceful views,
An elegant vision to behold.
Shallow and callous nature,
Tearing at other’s souls.
What stares back from the mirror?
All my failures and short comings.
All that I could have ever been,
But I never achieved to be.
This vision I do not like,
But it is always there staring back.
Making it oh so easy,
To turn away in despair.
What stares back from the mirror?
Infinite dreams and desires.
Everything that I should ever be
If only I were to make it so.
An inspiring view it is,
Always waiting to lift me up.
Daring me to reach higher,
No matter the chains trying to hold me down.
What exactly is it?
That which stares back from the mirror?
Patrick S. Smith is a retired vet venturing into the world of poetry and short stories. I can be followed at The Writings of Patrick S. Smith.
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