my reflection is a liar
it conspires
with my years
it tortures like an enemy
for what i see
brings tears
the sagging skin
the lips so thin
the lines around my eyes
the greying hair
the glow not there
does not reflect inside
for if it did you’d see me there
more beautiful than ever
more confident
much more content
and really rather clever
but the mirror likes to taunt me
likes to haunt me
with this figure
growing wider
cannot hide her
menopause the ugly trigger
yet I wouldn’t trade a single thing
and wish the clock reversed
i do not long for days of youth
for that would be perverse
each year has made me stronger
made me bolder
made me me
I would not give a wrinkle back
unsettling as it seems
my reflection is an honest friend
whose truth is often heavy
yet this weight i can bear
for the me right here
when not my own worst enemy
Dog-eared Stories by anne celano frohna 