Fall 2003
CONTEST WINNERS
First Prize, Poetry
Kind Mirror, Cruel Mirror
By Kerry L. Truchan
Oh lovely mirror, so kind and gracious
You fall so soft upon my face
You take away all that I despise
And cast them into a hidden place.
Damn you, you harsh, cruel mirror
Your bright lights shame me in my nakedness
Imperfections, flaws, scars, you expose them all
Oh unkind mirror it is you I detest!
Oh beautiful mirror, you compliment me so much
You validated me as outer beauty
Now I can finally concentrate on the inner beauty
To flow and shine for all the world to see.
Evil and merciful mirror
Have you no compassion?
I shutter with fear and anxiety in anticipation
Keep it up though, and one day you will be smashed in.
Distant mirror, I cannot foresee your intentions
Will you allow me to sigh with relief?
Or are your plans something else
Like transforming me into a hideous beast?
You appear to be so far away from me
Yet somehow you still dangle your bait in my face
The closer and closer I get
Until we both stand in our place.
Then so continues our vicious battle
Sure, laugh at me now
But someday, I will defeat you
Until then, I don’t know how or when.
|
