I give myself a cheery wave,
I deserve a good start at least.
This time is more confident, knowing, loved.
This time
The reflection stays and basks
in the warmth of the love reflected.
The smile is calm, accepting and comfortable.
What once was a shell
has cascaded as it rolled down the hill
gained momentum,
picking things up along the way,
gaining speed and ******* soaring.
Shell no longer, my bounty is full
and I couldn't be more grateful.
My insides are starting to match
my expectations of my outsides again
which feels good.
More than that--I feel like myself.
Heya friend!
I call to my reflection.
Her eyes crinkle and she smiles
throwing the peace sign,
Then she gives me a serious look
and points to our heart
and mouths:
"Protect It,
But Don't Waste Your Potential.
Go Love. Be Loved. Be Love."
She turns to go,
But over her shoulder she turns
and says:
"By the way, I'm proud of you.
I'm proud to reflect who you have become.
You deserve all the happiness life can bring
and all the sadness that sharpens the joy.
Now the goal is to experience everything,
Take it all in,
Don't take any of it for granted
and worship life.
Love and worship really living."
My reflection doesn't leave me,
Even when things are rough these days,
I have learned a lot in days numbered, years, decades,
I can't reclaim my youth
but I can avoid its mistakes for my own sake.
This world is scary enough right now,
People sowing the hatred that snuffs out light
That breaks the glass of shops and places of prayer
and homes of people
who just want to be able to live their best lives,
my hopes for the future dwindle low
but my candle still burns,
and with a thousand candles
and two thousand feet
and ten thousand fingers raised
maybe someone will see
maybe it will cause change?
What will it take?
I hope violence isn't the answer.
I have a family to raise.
A life to live.
In the community I want to make friends in.
I don't want this,
But I have to be a good example
To the generations who come and will
Need. Good. Examples.
I feed my reflection positivity now.
I feed my reflection ferocity and the willingness to speak up.
I feed my reflection hope with motivation to enact change.
I feed my reflection the willingness to accept flaws.
I feed my reflection patience to understand others' perspectives.
A few things have changed though.
We hardened up a little bit.
Around the block a little bit.
I don't put up with narcissist ********
I handle myself with decorum but push me
and I bite back,
Verbally. Don't talk to me
as if you already know me
I have friends and you friend
are not a friend so go back to
Your friends, this conversation
Is at an end.
What feminine people go through
while you can come out stronger,
it takes a lot of tumbling to get that
gem nice and shiny.
Starting a new chapter,
Me.
I think we've made good choices so far
that led us here.
There are some weird bumps ahead,
But I think with the support of partners
and loves and lovers and friends
We will help each other get through this
Fighting when we have to,
Leaning on each other,
And never forgetting what we're fighting for.
Jan 24, 2025
Jan 24, 2025 at 6:28 AM UTC
I give myself a cheery wave,
I deserve a good start at least.
This time is more confident, knowing, loved.
This time
The reflection stays and basks
in the warmth of the love reflected.
The smile is calm, accepting and comfortable.
What once was a shell
has cascaded as it rolled down the hill
gained momentum,
picking things up along the way,
gaining speed and ******* soaring.
Shell no longer, my bounty is full
and I couldn't be more grateful.
My insides are starting to match
my expectations of my outsides again
which feels good.
More than that--I feel like myself.
Heya friend!
I call to my reflection.
Her eyes crinkle and she smiles
throwing the peace sign,
Then she gives me a serious look
and points to our heart
and mouths:
"Protect It,
But Don't Waste Your Potential.
Go Love. Be Loved. Be Love."
She turns to go,
But over her shoulder she turns
and says:
"By the way, I'm proud of you.
I'm proud to reflect who you have become.
You deserve all the happiness life can bring
and all the sadness that sharpens the joy.
Now the goal is to experience everything,
Take it all in,
Don't take any of it for granted
and worship life.
Love and worship really living."
My reflection doesn't leave me,
Even when things are rough these days,
I have learned a lot in days numbered, years, decades,
I can't reclaim my youth
but I can avoid its mistakes for my own sake.
This world is scary enough right now,
People sowing the hatred that snuffs out light
That breaks the glass of shops and places of prayer
and homes of people
who just want to be able to live their best lives,
my hopes for the future dwindle low
but my candle still burns,
and with a thousand candles
and two thousand feet
and ten thousand fingers raised
maybe someone will see
maybe it will cause change?
What will it take?
I hope violence isn't the answer.
I have a family to raise.
A life to live.
In the community I want to make friends in.
I don't want this,
But I have to be a good example
To the generations who come and will
Need. Good. Examples.
I feed my reflection positivity now.
I feed my reflection ferocity and the willingness to speak up.
I feed my reflection hope with motivation to enact change.
I feed my reflection the willingness to accept flaws.
I feed my reflection patience to understand others' perspectives.
A few things have changed though.
We hardened up a little bit.
Around the block a little bit.
I don't put up with narcissist ********
I handle myself with decorum but push me
and I bite back,
Verbally. Don't talk to me
as if you already know me
I have friends and you friend
are not a friend so go back to
Your friends, this conversation
Is at an end.
What feminine people go through
while you can come out stronger,
it takes a lot of tumbling to get that
gem nice and shiny.
Starting a new chapter,
Me.
I think we've made good choices so far
that led us here.
There are some weird bumps ahead,
But I think with the support of partners
and loves and lovers and friends
We will help each other get through this
Fighting when we have to,
Leaning on each other,
And never forgetting what we're fighting for.
Just sitting up late at night in an apartment in Manhattan, and it just feels like glorious writer fodder. I was reading through my old poems and I saw "My Reflection" and thought it was well worth an update.
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