Looking at you,
at the both of you
is like looking into a circus mirror
i first say with a strained face,
"This doesn't look anything like me!"
The eyeballs widely separated and looking at different directions.
The mouth off to the far, far right. Everything
misshapen and distorted, like a swirl or
slab of brown paint on a clear canvas, splashed on and
thrown from a large metal can by an
Artist. i can see him pointing at his work and saying "This is you." I snicker
and scoff in response, rolling my eyes and waving him off. Looking at you,
at both of you,
at the circus mirror you are. I think to myself
"This is not who i am." Looking closer,
at her round face as mine, his eyes are mine.
my hand gestures her hers,
my humor his.
But then,
i look closer
and closer
and closer,
and, as if my sight gained a second wind,
i can finally make out my eyes,
my skin,
my face,
Myself.

06/24/2006

Posted on 06/25/2006
Copyright © 2025 Kristi Paik