Reflection

Revisiting the mirror with a clearer view

Almost exactly twenty years ago, I wrote a poem about the struggle of self-judgment. It’s a play on the reflection of a mirror and how our inner voice talks to us about our perceived flaws. Often, that voice is shaped by our environment, looping in external feedback received through our closest relationships and/or societal standards. It can be grueling work to confront, dismantle, and transform that voice, and this poem touches on the discomfort of that experience.

This feels like the right first post for Behind One Verse, a series rooted in reflection and response. Below is the original poem, followed by what I would say to that person today.