The Mirror

By Alyssa Greene

She looks in the mirror, 

And what does she see?

The girl she doesn’t want to be.

The girl who ruins everything.

The girl who should just go away.

She sees her forehead that’s so large.

She sees her nose, big as a barge.

She sees her eyebrows that are just so bushy.

She sees her eyelashes, not long nor wispy.

She sees her cheeks, chubby and round.

She sees her bland eyes, dull and brown.

She sees her lips, thin, dry mistakes.

She sees her teeth; her shred of hope breaks.

She sees her red eyes, puffy from tears.

She sees a reflection of all of her fears.

She sees her skin that’s rough and bumpy.

She sees what everyone else sees: Ugly.

Under her gaze,

For what seems like days,

She stares and stares,

Seemingly unphased.

But behind those dreary, lifeless eyes;

Deep down in her heart, in the back of her mind,

She curses and screams and yells obscenities.

“Why would anyone want to be me?”

Her mother walks in.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes mother, I’m fine.”

She’s too tired to fight.

Her mother’s eyes washed over her,

Surveying every single nook and cranny.

Her mother knew that her daughter was lying,

But she said nothing, just let her be.

The girl turned her face back to the mirror.

She stared some more, but something was clearer.

She began to notice some similarities,

Between her and her mother, who was pretty as can be.

They had the same nose, prominent and beautiful.

They had the same cheeks, plump and full.

They had the same forehead, and as silly as it seems,

The girl felt her morale steadily rise.

Her father walked in.

“We have to leave soon”

“I’ll be down in a bit”

But she knew that wasn’t true.

He left her alone to ponder some more.

As she stared, her confidence was slowly restored.

Her mother’s features snapped the girl out of her spell,

Yet her father’s features were reflected as well.

They had the same eyebrows, arched and clean.

They had the same eyes, sepia-colored and striking.

They had the same lips, thin but still cute.

They had the same teeth, an earnest tribute.

She would never look at her parents

And claim that they’re ugly.

So why,” she thought,

Do I think this way about me?”

I am a blend of those who care for me.

An embodiment of love for all to see.

Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m not ugly;

Maybe I just needed to see myself clearly.

Enough is enough, 

It’s time to make a change.

I am more than my looks.

I am worthy of praise.

I am loved and adored

And I know I’m cared for.

But that love starts with me;

I won’t cry anymore.

And if anyone tries telling me anything different,

I’ll laugh in their face;

I don’t deserve that treatment.

I refuse to let the world drag me down;

I know what I’m worth,

My confidence has been found.

And I’ll preach this message till the end of my days

You don’t have to treat yourself like a mistake

Appreciate all that has gone into you

Get a new perspective; It’ll change your life too.

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Biography

My name is Alyssa Greene. I’m a sophomore who loves to spend her free time reading (preferably fiction), writing, baking, and spending time with my friends and family. I’ve always had a passion for volunteering with kids and I am very involved at my church. Most of all, I greatly enjoy expressing my creativity in new and exciting ways, whether it’s trying a more difficult writing style or a time-consuming art form.

What is your main source of inspiration?

I am typically inspired by the books that I read and my personal life experience. My experiences give me a topic to write about that means a lot to me while the books help me structure my work.

How do you resonate with your piece? Why is it personal to you?

I resonate with this piece because it reflects a thought process I had in my own life. It helped me to feel more confident about my looks, and I hope that it would do the same for others.