Reflection

 The person looking back at me,
from my mirrors brutal gaze,
Bears no clear resemblance
of my body or my face...
I can't believe I look so old,
my hairs gray, and I'm fat...
How come he's still here I ponder;
he never signed up for that...
I look away disgusted,
with who I've grown to be,
Now I have to be ashamed;
that ugly persons' me...
I'm sorry when he looks my way,
that this is what he sees...
No wonder he keeps his options open,
in case he ever leaves...
I couldn't even blame him,
if he was unfaithful,
a real friend would let him go;
expecting him to stay seems hateful...
with a second glance,
into my evil looking glass...
I see the pain I have endured,
and how life's kicked my ass
I reflect on how hard I've fought to be
someone that makes me proud
I spent so much time hating myself
I wore hate like a shroud...
With a deep inhale, and one last look,
in my mirrors direction.
I bravely lift my head to see,
at last my horrible reflection...
I looked into my eyes this time
and That's where I saw the spark
The light inside them is beckoning
it illuminates the dark
Turns out Inside I am not ugly.
there's beauty to be seen...
Hopefully he sees past my flesh
and loves what's in between.

Heidi Shavill
2016