I am the secret mirror
that reflects
only your soul,
so the filigree of wrinkles
the doughy skin
the graying crown
do not show,
but I discern things
most others do not see.
While I reflect
only your soul,
so the filigree of wrinkles
the doughy skin
the graying crown
do not show,
but I discern things
most others do not see.
While I reflect
your every weakness,
(regardless of size)
and forgive you,
I also collect
(regardless of size)
and forgive you,
I also collect
your every kindness
(regardless of size)
and exalt you.
I witness your unconfined joy
at the first snowfall,
and I see the breath
caught in your throat
two-thirds of the way through
Barber's "Adagio for Strings."
I know your loneliness
and send reassuring prayers.
I see your decision to love
despite a lifetime of
contrary arguments
and laud you.
I exist to reflect more
than just the
random kindness of strangers
but rather the
eternal continuum of love
in all forms
found in you.
I am always with you
in different guises
waiting in silence
for recognition,
and in your most
noble, divine moments,
it is impossible to conceal
your beauty
and I want everyone to see
especially you.
I am always here
waiting to show you
how beautiful you are,
waiting to give you
a Christmas present
every day of the year.
(regardless of size)
and exalt you.
I witness your unconfined joy
at the first snowfall,
and I see the breath
caught in your throat
two-thirds of the way through
Barber's "Adagio for Strings."
I know your loneliness
and send reassuring prayers.
I see your decision to love
despite a lifetime of
contrary arguments
and laud you.
I exist to reflect more
than just the
random kindness of strangers
but rather the
eternal continuum of love
in all forms
found in you.
I am always with you
in different guises
waiting in silence
for recognition,
and in your most
noble, divine moments,
it is impossible to conceal
your beauty
and I want everyone to see
especially you.
I am always here
waiting to show you
how beautiful you are,
waiting to give you
a Christmas present
every day of the year.
(Posted as my inaugural offering at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads' OpenLinkNight. )
wow. this is beautiful man...full of heart and empathy...lots of feeling...an honorable calling to be that reflection you know...smiles...
ReplyDeleteThanks, bro - I'd buy you a drink for those kind words!
DeleteAww, Mosk, this one moved me to tears...I so need to find myself one of those mirrors!
ReplyDeleteI think, when you see yourself this way (through the eyes of God), you're looking in a mirror. Hugs to you, el Mosk
DeleteThere is an interesting progression in this poem, from the opening lines: the promise to reveal one's soul is powerfully felt as one reads the second person as possible self. I thought the fourth stanza was excellently done with the use of parentheses, and the momentum from that point on is quite breathless. I wonder if I would like such a mirror that reads me too deeply...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the thoughtful comment - I'm not too aware of how I write these things, so if you see *any* good technique, then I am thankful!
DeleteMosk, I love this whole poem, but this stanza particularly strikes me, for some reason:
ReplyDeleteWhile I reflect
your every weakness,
(regardless of size)
and forgive you,
I also collect
your every kindness
(regardless of size)
and exalt you.
I hate mirrors, as a rule. So somehow this forgiveness and exaltation touch me deeply. Excellent work.
I hate mirrors too, but this one is kind. Reveal yourself to it and you'll see that obvious beauty too. Thanks, de.
DeleteThis is a truly lovely write Mosk.
ReplyDeleteThere is no greater gift that we can give ourselves, is there. Because if we can't love us, who can we love? There are so many wonderful lines all through this but, I have to agree with De on the ones she chose as being my favourites too.
Awesome writing.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance” - Oscar Wilde
DeleteThanks so much, Mosk
great poem - loved it :)
ReplyDeleteOh, this poem is a Christmas present in August. I love it.
ReplyDeleteK
Such a compliment! Thank you! Happy Xmas!
DeleteMosky, that's beautiful. I really like it.
ReplyDeletePS--I'm so glad you are a Toad now!!! Herotomost, our only male Toad, needed back-up to deal with all us ladies!
Thanks, and glad to be a toad and not a toady. Hey, if I'm outnumbered, then I'll defer to the majority. I'm no fool.
DeleteIf everyday is like this, its a lovely day indeed ~
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Real Toads ~
Grace
Thanks Grace. American comic Redd Foxx used to say "When you love someone it's Christmas Every Day."
DeleteI LOVE THIS!
ReplyDeleteI love this, I love this, I love this.
Thank you for your glorious enthusiasm.
DeleteThis is so beautifully romantic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie. I never thought of it that way before.
DeleteOh my goodness, Mosk. My heart needed this. I especially liked:
ReplyDelete"and I want everyone to see
especially you."
Sooo good. <3 Thank you!!
Thanks- so glad I was able to share this.
DeleteI am always here
ReplyDeletewaiting to show you
how beautiful you are,
Lovely! Welcome to "Toads" :)
Thank you- so glad to be here.
Delete"I exist to reflect more
ReplyDeletethan just the
random kindness of strangers
but rather the
eternal continuum of love
in all forms
found in you"
I adore love and how it paints everything beautiful.
I love this....I read this 3 times over, and it carried so much more impact on me, each time I read it through..amazing write... :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you loved it enough to re-read!
DeletePlease send me such a mirror, Mosk!!
ReplyDeleteAnd a warm welcome to Toads as well.
You already have one - it's a matter of perspective. :) Thanks!
Deletei do not have doughy skin! dammit!
ReplyDeletewelcome, Toad. :)
Well, I do- lots of it, too! Thanks Marian!
DeleteMaaavelous, poet friend! It reflects you well! :)
ReplyDeletedeb
And may I reflect you as well! Thanks!
DeleteWow, you brought tears to my eyes ... which is quite hard to do these days. :)
ReplyDelete"I see your decision to love" ... Such a powerful line.
I love the way this seems like a husband speaking to his wife for the first half, but later reveals the speaker to be God. Just beautiful.