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Monday, August 06, 2012

The Secret Mirror


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 
your every weakness,
(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.

(Posted as my inaugural offering at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads' OpenLinkNight. )

35 comments:

  1. wow. this is beautiful man...full of heart and empathy...lots of feeling...an honorable calling to be that reflection you know...smiles...

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    1. Thanks, bro - I'd buy you a drink for those kind words!

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  2. Aww, Mosk, this one moved me to tears...I so need to find myself one of those mirrors!

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    1. I think, when you see yourself this way (through the eyes of God), you're looking in a mirror. Hugs to you, el Mosk

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  3. There 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...

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    1. Thank 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!

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  4. Mosk, I love this whole poem, but this stanza particularly strikes me, for some reason:

    While 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.

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    1. I hate mirrors too, but this one is kind. Reveal yourself to it and you'll see that obvious beauty too. Thanks, de.

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  5. This is a truly lovely write Mosk.
    There 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.

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    1. “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance” - Oscar Wilde

      Thanks so much, Mosk

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  6. great poem - loved it :)

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  7. Oh, this poem is a Christmas present in August. I love it.
    K

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    1. Such a compliment! Thank you! Happy Xmas!

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  8. Mosky, that's beautiful. I really like it.

    PS--I'm so glad you are a Toad now!!! Herotomost, our only male Toad, needed back-up to deal with all us ladies!

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    1. 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.

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  9. If everyday is like this, its a lovely day indeed ~

    Welcome to Real Toads ~

    Grace

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    1. Thanks Grace. American comic Redd Foxx used to say "When you love someone it's Christmas Every Day."

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  10. Anonymous6:38 PM

    I LOVE THIS!
    I love this, I love this, I love this.

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    1. Thank you for your glorious enthusiasm.

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  11. This is so beautifully romantic.

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    1. Thank you Laurie. I never thought of it that way before.

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  12. Oh my goodness, Mosk. My heart needed this. I especially liked:

    "and I want everyone to see
    especially you."

    Sooo good. <3 Thank you!!

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    1. Thanks- so glad I was able to share this.

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  13. I am always here
    waiting to show you
    how beautiful you are,

    Lovely! Welcome to "Toads" :)

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  14. "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 adore love and how it paints everything beautiful.

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  15. 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... :)

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    1. Glad you loved it enough to re-read!

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  16. Please send me such a mirror, Mosk!!

    And a warm welcome to Toads as well.

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    1. You already have one - it's a matter of perspective. :) Thanks!

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  17. i do not have doughy skin! dammit!
    welcome, Toad. :)

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    1. Well, I do- lots of it, too! Thanks Marian!

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  18. Anonymous11:26 AM

    Maaavelous, poet friend! It reflects you well! :)
    deb

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    1. And may I reflect you as well! Thanks!

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  19. Wow, you brought tears to my eyes ... which is quite hard to do these days. :)

    "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.

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