choose your mirrors carefully

what those mirrors reflect will cling to you like perfume
tint your vision like sunglasses

don’t let a broken mirror trick you into thinking you, too, are broken

look carefully
look long
look with eyes wide open

a mirror will always reveal it’s true nature in times of stress

Be vigilant!

here’s the secret
when you realize the ugliness
is a reflection of the broken mirror
not you
you can walk away

walk away
into the light
into the freedom

walk into the loving embrace of those who show you your true self

I know
because I did

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

My rebellious joy
Heals me
Frees me
from my past
Heals me
Frees me
from my present
My smile was once a mask
sincerity turned it to a shield
A heart filled with gratitude and wonder
leaves no space for fear
I step into my strength
by embracing this
My rebellious joy

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

the stillness after a long, hard cry
Friday night after a workweek from Hell
the cool down after an intense workout

Peace is so very hard to find
Once found, impossible to hold

A slippery fish
It slips through my white-knuckled, calloused fists
Leaving me empty and longing

Always longing

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

Hearts are meant to break
This is the undeniable truth of our human condition
Whether the blade is sharpened by lies
or selfishness
or hormones
or mortality,
others will always betray in some way

My demons are the loudest when I’m grieving heartache
My reliance on past paths to numbness breaks my heart anew
Maybe I am as weak as he made me feel
Or maybe I am just human with a heart built to break

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

I am a candle
burning past hurts
craving new air
reaching to the sky
leaving a mark

I am stronger than my scars
wiser than my mistakes
more capable than my
insecurities

I can only be me
I will only burn

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

This rain reflects my somber mood
These clouds, my clouded mind
Rain and wind, the only sounds
No happy birds
No laughter
of playing children
in sunny weather
No happy thoughts
No laughter
on the inside either
Only exhaustion
pulling down the edges of my mouth,
holding this tired body
under a familiar weighted blanket of defeat
Tomorrow the rain may stop
Tomorrow the birds may sing
Tomorrow the sun may shine
So I lie in wait
holding on for tomorrow
for happiness to once again be mine

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.