Apr14Poetry - We Are Mirror Images

I'm trying something new, taking a risk this month - participating in
#VerseLove with Sarah Donovan,
hoping to write poetry every day this April.








Today's poetry inspiration is from Padma Venkatraman, to create poems that are virtual mirrors of one another, to show the power of juxtaposition. Her suggestion is to start by thinking of two ways to do one thing, and write two poems - one for each of these possibilities. Then, rewrite the poems so that they are mirror images in poetic style.

In the ideal world, I would display these poems in two columns, side by side, so that you might see their similarity. This trick involves my use of HTML code on this Blogger website, and, alas, that is a fail. So, I'm content to post these vertically and rely on your imagination to see them as mirrors.


We Are Mirror Images

I like my chocolate
dark and crunchy,
chewy with caramel, or
peanut butter smooth.
I'm happy to try
new chocolate,
no matter what kind,
I'm always in the mood.
If I start,
I'll have bite after bite,
so the wrapper,
the bag,
the box,
needs to be thrown away.

He likes his chocolate
milk or dark,
shredded coconut, or
fruit and nuts chew.
He's happy to try
new chocolate,
it matters what time,
whether he's in the mood.
If he starts,
he'll have one or two bites,
close the wrapper,
the bag,
the box,
save for another day.

The mirror

I am participating in the
 Slice of Life.  
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, 
on Tuesdays.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

My husband captured the cutest video of our fifteen month old granddaughter ('Frog'), watching herself in a full-length mirror...as if seeing herself for the very first time. Truly, the video is enchanting - and I'd love to share it here, so that you might see for yourself. However, we are all trying our very best to raise Frog away from social media (as if this is even possible, these days)...so you'll have to take my word that it is the ultimate cuteness. 

I've looked at the video over and over again, these past couple of days - noticing her eyes as she looks at her reflection, noticing her delight with what she sees, and her burst of happy laughter that she has this mimic in her life. She expresses such ease with herself, with her body; she is delighted to share this moment with her Papa as she plays at the mirror, turning her head to laugh with him, then continuing to bend, stretch, and even squat, making her reflection move. 

I do not pause for mirrors. Whenever I happen to pass by a mirror in a public place, where others might see me (i.e., not my bathroom!), I am not in the least bit happy to see my reflection. Was I ever at ease like Frog? How might I capture just a fraction of her happiness the next time I see my reflection in the mirror? Where did I lose that little girl's openness to all that I am? 

There is so much wisdom in this little girl's dance.

Here's a little rhyming poem about the beauty of her moment at the mirror.

The Mirror

She happens upon a mirror
and simply can't believe
there's another someone hiding
who looks just like she.
She crouches down and then jumps up,
to see what her friend might do.
Every twist is mimicked,
and her facial expressions, too!
She tries a new position,
she leans in for a kiss;
when the other moves the same way,
she laughs with sheer bliss.