Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am the baby daughter,
so small and delicate,
with brown curly hair and eyes so blue.
An age of innocence
sleeping in mommy's arms.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am the young girl
playing jump rope with friends,
a tomboy climbing trees with her brother,
then saying night time prayers
after daddy reads bedtime stories.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am the teenage "woman,"
growing up so fast, trying on make-up,
attending school dances,
experiencing my first crush,
my first heartbreak, driving my first car.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am the college bound student,
facing new challenges,
marching into the world on my own feet,
planning my future,
as new adventures await.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am the beautiful bride
on her wedding day,
so elegant and pure
in a long white dress,
with my groom beside me
reciting our wedding vows,
the ring, a symbol of our life yet to be.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am a young mother now
with babies of my own,
my husband beside me
as we build our happy home,
A life time of memories shared.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
I am a grandmother now
and my walk, a bit slower
then it use to be.
My children are grown
and live on their own.
Visits with my grandchildren are treasured.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
Who is this person I look at day to day?
Is she the
baby daughter, young girl, teenage "woman"
college student, beautiful bride,
mother, grandmother,
that I use to know so well?
As I search in you mirror
I reminisce back to the
person I use to be.
My memory now fading fast.
I sit here in my chair,
so many memories a thing of the past.
Robbed of who I was.
An elderly woman now all alone.
My husband has passed away.
Visits from family are
few and far between.
Yet I sit in front of you
mirror, everyday.
Reflection in the mirror,
do you recognize me?
Help me to never lose
the memories of whom I use to be....
Author notes
I work in a nursing home and I see my residents, some with no family to visit.I am their only family in some ways.I do my best to care for them and keep then active. What inspired this poem was one resident with alzheimers disease. She will often sit in front of her mirror and question staff who that is looking at her.I could just cry sometimes. I wrote this as if I was her.
Written November 23rd, 2001
What did you think
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
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WOW...what a touching poem this is. I have known people with this condition...and it is sad indeed. I really truly was sooo moved by the poem and the author note.....thanks for sharing this.
LIZ -
Well Done
This is beautifully written. It is a piece that I am sure many can relate to. You have captured my attention and made me think. Thank you for sharing. -
Oh how very sad! I have always had a hard time visiting relatives in the nursing home. I do not know what I will do or how I will be able to face it if my parents ever have to go to one. God bless you for your willingness to work at one. It takes such a special heart to do so!
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It took me a bit to find this, since it was called "Reflection in the Mirror" and not "Stranger in the Mirror", but I'm glad I tracked it down. Very well penned, you don't see poems much that are from the perspective of people that society deals with on a normal basis but have problems relating to, which is why I wrote "Alzheimer's" from the viewpoint of the person who had the condition. I can see how this poem could have easily been written about the same person or type of person at any rate. Great job, and thanks for sharing and your kind words!
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I loved it but it is a sad poem.
You write what so many go through.
Keep writing so as not to get lost in the mirror ok.
Sonja -
OOHHHHH SO POWERFUL.. sniff this is sad.. :( .... i know you have to have a hard job.. sniff maybe she is seeing something wonderful in that mirror :) like the lion witch and the wardrobe story. :) nice write
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Personally don't use mirror's ... they tend to shatter if I look int them ... great write ... if only mirror's had memories ... I wonder what they could tell us about ourselves .... hmmmm ... Andy
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wonderful work,,,,I can picture my daughter saying these same things
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What a wonderful dedication piece, you have a warm heart.
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The 'Reflection in a Mirror' serves like a hypnotic mantra. You did a good job. Thanks.
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Your ending was terrific and the lifeline created was woven well .... enjoyed this immensely ... you did really good in looking through someone else's eyes ... :-)chris
P.S. - last line should say 'used to me' :-) -
Sad. But I really liked it. Well done
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This was exceptional. Really liked the fact that you put yourself in someone else's shoes and imagined what it would be like to be that person. The world needs more people like you! Excellent poem! :-) Maureen (I don't rate with stars but I think this was divine!)
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What a wonderful insight into a terrifying world.
I am sure all your residents love you to bits.
You are one in a million Kat.
Hugs and utmost respect for you as a person and a poet.
~Anethyst~ -
this was powerful, how old are u>? perhaps young I think...perhaps im wrong, but if im right then u are much like me in this way. You can journey ahead and write about what u have not yet seen but inside your head....I loved it.....5!
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Wow! This is amazing and beautiful. Brilliant and intriguing. Great job.
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Briiliant poem simalar to my own mirrors sp i can relate somewhat. Outstanding way with wrods they flow well...Well-done
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WOW brillant poem
i enjoyed it alot
very well written -
Very Nice. Kind of like my poem called Sand, but with more detail.
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Very, very impressive. Touching without being overly emotive.
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Interesting read. The storyline from youth to old age, portrayed on a daily basis of self reflection.
Well versed.
William -
the last stanza was strong and cohered the entire piece beautifully..much applause
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Whoa! great poem and its amazing how you wrote from her perspective,and did so well...great job!
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Great write. So many reflections. Well told.
Sammy -
how sad, I wish life didn't pass by so quickly , wonderful style
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i like this poem for so many reason because of the emotions that have crept through
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Warm, touching, pulls at the heart. You follow the growth through her life, from child to elderly with dignity and grace. Such powerful emotion, too. Brings tears to the eyes to think we will all be there some day. We only hope we are not alone. Read this to her, I'm sure she will find it a comfort to know that someone cares as much as you! Great read.
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WOW, this was just great. What an imagination you have, such a hard topic to tackle, but you did it so well. Just grand!!
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