|
Mirror Imagination
by Heide McAlister-Bates
Days' end, I allow myself the
luxury of hot water and
perfumed lather to soothe away
the pains, both body and soul,
that have accumulated
like so much grime
on my psyche.
I rise from the bath,
steamy tendrils circling
my legs, rivulets streaming,
feeling the thirsty softness
of the towel drink the last drops
from my brow.
Through the mist on the mirror
I catch a glimpse of a girl
damp hair curling madly
around rose-flushed cheeks,
familiar but forgotten in the
years that have passed since I
last saw that face.
Misty mirror clearing, she changes;
becomes the woman I know now,
curls of chestnut shot with silver,
cheeks flushed with heat,not the
blush of excitement -
the transformation first startles,
then intrigues.
I lean closer and read the lines,
between the lines, that map out my
life - this one here, on my forehead,
it could have been carved
by the pain of those years
of wanting out, of wanting
to be free of him.
These, deep furrows on my brow,
by the waiting on and worrying over
my children through the years -
is the fever too high, will he ever
come back, will she replay my script,
why can't I help?
There, on my cheeks, tiny lines,
by the forced smile I wore
to mask the fear
that I would never get to be who
I knew I was, but would always have
to be everything for everybody else
but me.
I step back as a tear trickles
down and I follow it with eyes now
wiser, more in touch with reality
than those youthful eyes could ever
have been - it stops, suddenly, in the
line carved by the smile that I wear
to bid the girl who was good-bye
and to welcome the woman
who is.
01/05/2004 Posted on 01/05/2004
Copyright © 2024 Heide McAlister-Bates
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Amanda J Cobb on 01/05/04 at 10:36 PM Wonderful and poignant. Well-done, and welcome. |
| Posted by Kalikala Smith on 01/06/04 at 09:50 PM i love this. the imagery is wonderful. welcome to pathetic! :) |
| Posted by Agnes Eva on 01/08/04 at 03:42 AM such an intensive retrospective through this scene, life history, woman-strength, the meaning of age... i found myself drawn in and examining self as well |
| Posted by Ashok Sharda on 01/10/04 at 01:54 PM 'I lean closer and read the lines,between the lines, that map out my life'- You did this by reliving those moments, lived and relived time and again but 'that I would never get to be who
I knew I was'. 'Nor who I am since' We shall have to play all kind of roles as the life situations might demand.'but me' will survive as an observer, as a poet, seeing what is. The most beautiful aspect is that this ends on such a positive note-'bid the girl who was good-bye
and to welcome the woman who is.' Since IS alone is impregnant with WHAT SHOULD BE and not WAS. Nice piece. I liked this immensely. Thanks.
|
| Posted by Bruce W Niedt on 04/05/04 at 08:31 PM A frank, unflinching look at midlife, through a glass semi-darkly. The tone of acceptance rather than regret of the loss of the "girl" at the end is quite effective. A straightforward, confessional piece - well-done.... d:-) |
| Posted by Susan Q Tomas on 04/18/04 at 01:13 PM I really liked this because it did not follow an anticipated path. The ending was expected, but probably because I could relate. Very nice poem. |
| Posted by Susan Q Tomas on 04/18/04 at 05:49 PM I read this at the beginning of my day, and I thought about it all morning. I am glad you still see that girl you once were, even if it is through a misty mirror. |
| Posted by Lauren Singer on 04/18/04 at 10:24 PM such a beautiful piece on growing up and growing in general. this is written with elegance and grace and the woman in the mirror should be proud of who she is today. lovely piece heide. |
| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 04/19/04 at 06:31 AM this is pure beauty... that which we see in the mirror, from birth until death is all of who we are... but pieces do fade, and new skin doth emerge... excellent write... perfect POTD, in my opinion... blessings... |
| Posted by Thomas K. Hunt on 04/08/05 at 08:38 AM beautifully woven words that leads one through the journey of life.....excellent read....and that young girl will forever live inside... |
| Posted by Dave Fitzgerald on 09/18/06 at 09:58 AM Beautiful, great imagery and moving. |
|
