Creative Commons Introspective Chicken by Jonathan Lidbeck is licensed under CC BY 2.0
When I look in the mirror, I see
a much younger version of me–
not the face
that stares back from photographs,
so rudely honest
in their appraisals.
In truth, it’s not quite
the younger me I spy,
but the whole of myself–
the things a photo will never catch.
I see both youth and age,
twinkles and wrinkles;
I see emotion and belief,
passion and compassion;
I see history: life’s experience,
and expectation. Hope’s still there;
I see a life of love and, occasionally, hard knocks.
The whole of me
is much more interesting
than any Kodak moment
could ever be.
That’s not quite right;
the whole is what I see
each time my gaze lands
on anyone I love;
But in the mirror,
rather than a whole,
perhaps I see
just an edited me—
only what I want to see.
Living on the Diagonal 
Carole-I absolutely love this! Ironically, the first line of the poem I entered in the poetry contest (but did not win) reads as such: “I look in the mirror and the face I see says I’m getting old.” ( I will share it with you at a later date.) The reading of your First Prize-winning poem at the Awards Ceremony was beautiful, and I would like to see it in print so I could reread it slowly. I am wondering if you could you print it here on your blog? Congratulations much deserved!
LikeLike
Thank you, Arlene. I’ve sent the poem via e-mail to you. It may show up here sometime in the future.
LikeLike
Thanks for the plug and the compliment, Leslie!
LikeLike
From Living on the Diagonal: Mountain Musings–a good source for many lovely poems!
LikeLiked by 1 person