Reflections Of Me Poem by Janet K. Rauch

I gaze at myself in the looking glass
Saying, “Life with you has its ups and downs”’
Your response is blended with laughter and sass,
Reflecting, “ I’ve given you smiles and frowns.”

I study you closely from head to toe
Trying to be a third wheel
A person, a stranger neither friend nor foe
Who can’t be persuaded to deal.

I point out my crow’s feet, your age spots, our grey hair
The third wheel would interrupt to say,
“You’re dwelling too deeply, you just don’t play fair
You’re more than appearance, believe me, okay? ”

But that’s just the issue, I know this inside
The others don’t see it in me
It’s easier for me to just go and hide
Than to act out the part that they see.

I will miss me when I’m gone
Will you notice I’m not there?
While you slyly stifle an approaching yawn
In your eyes, an empty stare.

With each passing day, I feel it more
A loneliness no one can fill
A lack of respect, an ache in my core
Neglect is a bitter pill.

I think of my image throughout the years
Have I really changed that much?
Besides having cried a river of tears
Do you think I’m out of touch?

Where is the woman whose face is kind?
The mirror holds dearly her gaze
Where is that girl we left behind?
We’re both seeking brighter days.

(Written for me in an attempt to sort out my feelings, stirring a caldron of depression until the magic potion permeates every pore of being.)