Posting this for Sunday Scribblings prompt Deepest, darkest. I had some kind of verses formed in my mind looking at this picture on google images. Infact I wrote two entirely different versions. Those suit rather well for the topic. One I post today, other I might post on Sunday. Though I saved the picture, I forgot the source.
Photo Source: Internet
Stranger in the Mirrordeepest
darkest secrets
unknown even to her;
dwells in her mind
scaring her.
this side of herself,
she was unaware.
at times,
her inner demons
slaying her.
smiling under
this scary mask;
a total stranger
stares back from
the mirror.
reveal the
pain within;
she holds on
head held high.
the way she is;
with blemishes,
imperfections
will she find peace?
.........................................................
Look out more darkest deepest secrets...
Oh, this is deep Gautami. I really like this, as you well know why.
ReplyDeleteI understand how we refuse to really see that face in the mirror, the mask that we were for others, becomes the mask for ourselves.
Great poem my friend. Have a great weekend. :)
rose dewy knickers: Yes, I know why. Those flaws make us what we are. Sometimes we cannot change those. After all that is what make us whole.
ReplyDeleteOnly when we accept ourselves the way we are, others can.
Thanks. Always a pleasure to read you and your comments.
You be well too.
those inner demons are never far away
ReplyDeletethank you
Love the imagery of the mirror. Gripping one and good!
ReplyDeleteAt first I read it "scarring her" as in -to scar and then I realized it was scaring her as in -to scare....although deepest darkest secrets probably do both.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem- thanks for the post
I think the ending of your great poem, peace within, is so powerful. "If only" can be a haunting and damaging refrain. Acceptance of all that we are can be very freeing.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of that line.
ReplyDelete"I look in the mirror don't like what I see, The face of a stranger staring at me."
I wouldn't thing YOU would have too many imperfections!
You've done a great job with the prompt - the masks we all wear; the vulnerability felt as flaws exposed. Well done!
ReplyDeleteGreat image and equally great poem. Its structural simplicity was perfect for the subject matter and indeed in relation to the picture. Your poem is one that remains in the mind, an after taste, for a while after the reader has left your page and that is a sign of a successful piece, I believe. Good write.
ReplyDeleteits beautiful
ReplyDeletefeels like it has been written for me
strangers and demons
ReplyDeletewe all have them in us :)
Looking thrugh ourselves !!
ReplyDeleteI love how you end on self-acceptance. It's the only way -- how boring it would be if we were all perfect; we'd be all the same. This way, our flaws and blemishes are our unique beauty. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteperennial conflict..
ReplyDeleteGood poem. I feel for the theme.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...very thought-provoking. We all look in the mirror, but how closely do we look?
ReplyDeleteAnd do we ignore what we find or run away from it or stomp it back down...or do we accept it?
Lovely, Gautami.
brooding of mind... well done!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! These are the places I only glimpse at but don't go.
ReplyDeleteDo we really want to abandon our demons? Do we secretly savor the handsome dark animus?
ReplyDeleteYour poem really made me stop and think, especially these lines:
ReplyDelete"smiling under
this scary mask;
a total stranger
stares back from
the mirror"
and a very thoughtful ending
A wonderful poem- really reflective of the prompt for today...
ReplyDeleteI like this poem better than the one that comes after it--their is something deeper and with a tinge of darkenss that hides the soul and draws you in
ReplyDeleteThis poem beautifully summarizes what I am going through. What I am living. My struggles. Your words have touched me deeply tonight and I thank you or that Gautami
ReplyDeletefloots: yes, they do come back to give us hell sometimes.
ReplyDeletedon: I love mirrors. Hence this fit in somehow.
misplaced: Initially, I had written scarring but I changed it to scaring as it works better. Thanks for noticing it and saying so.
brian: We dwell too much on "if only". We should learn to say "so what".
steve: hey man, no one is without blemishes.
tara/paris: We put up masks for others. For ourselves we are as naked as a new born baby.
beaman: Thanks. I set out do that. From your comments, it feels I succeeded.
ReplyDeletekathryn, inconsequential, jac, magic eye, spacedlaw, kai, polona, annieelf: True. We are like that. Or we all go through that at some time of our lives.
ti: Self-acceptance is the best way to deal with it. Otherwise we break apart. And I agree, our flaws make us human.
ReplyDeletewithin without: Thanks. In the mirror, we see what WE want to see. Sometimes one has to look beyond it. It might not be pleasant but it is the true self.
ish: now that is something which is needs thinking. Sometimes we really do not want to escape the demons.
unfoldingrose, regina: Thanks.
sage: I agree with you. Though I wrote both at the same, I posted this first. It is raw and touches the soul. Dark things always do that.
tori: whatever it is, it will pass. Just give it time. Hugs!
The photo and the haunting poem complement each other perfectly. Great take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great take on the prompt. I was just thinking today about how some people can look at themselves in the mirror in the morning! (meaning it's a wonder they can face themselves as they are not very nice people.)
ReplyDeleteguatami,
ReplyDeleteExcellant. Pointing out that nothing is deeper or darker than our imagination.
rel
I can't remember where I read this or exactly how it went but this made me think of a passage I've read somewhere. The thought is that when children look in the mirror they love what they see, love looking at themselves and it is a joy. And then as adults, most of us lose that joy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I've never try writing poems but this is good one. Very thoughtful.
ReplyDeletevery insightful, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletePowerful imagery here, in the poem and the photo. We all have some dark places deep inside, I think...
ReplyDeleteWhat if you are a Vampyre, like me, and do not have a reflection.
ReplyDeleteJust as well, I couldn't bare to see what I has become of my youth after enduring 1500 years of nightlife.
Congratulations. I am thrilled to see that so many people are enjoying your excellent work. Shine on.
mardougrrl: The photo was a trigger to write both this and the next poem. Thanks.
ReplyDeletechiefbiscuit: They do and are able to live with themselves. But my poem does not dwell on those aspect but is entirely different from that thought.
remiman: nothing can be as deep or as dark as our psyche.
deb: true. Kids do love looking into the mirror and let their imagination run riot.
lissa: thanks. Try writing one.
homeinkabul, tinker:thanks.
donn/h.e.: Last I looked I was human, well almost. Now after reading your comment I am not so sure. Thanks!!And welcome back after aeons of time.