Mirror Grows Up
Girl standing on tiptoe to see her reflection
in the grown-up glass
Teen crying over ravages of acne
on her nose, her neck, her back
Bride at home wedding, same mirror
as this morning, but suddenly she’s changed
Single mom, single crease forming
over her left eyebrow, souvenir of divorce
Second time’s the charm, as she eases back
greying bangs from her smiling face
And just this morning, taking stock
More circles than a box of Cheerios
More wrinkles than a pug puppy
More fire in her eyes than Mrs. O’Leary’s cow ever wrought
More twinkle than Tinkerbell
More love than she thought she’d ever have
All shining back as her husband slips his arm around her,
whispering, “Love how you look today, babe.”
© Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
From a prompt about mirrors at my poetic home, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
booguloo
Excellent.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Michael, and congrats on Blog of the Week! A
Kim Nelson
This is exactly how it should be. You have captured the essence of a path followed, a journey taken and happiness discovered. I love this, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Kim. Sorry reply comes late, but latest post will explain why. Love, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh I so adore this poem! This was my hit of romance for the day and your husband is a rock star! So are you. I love the image in the mirror, how it changes, how the values deepen and grow richer……just lovely. Smiled at “more wrinkles than a pug puppy” – so cute!
Sharp Little Pencil
My dear friend Michelle has a pug and that was the best analogy I had. Other one that’s “nipping at its heels” is “eyelids of a bloodhound,” since mine are starting to sag. Doc says I may have to break my vow of NO plastic surgery eventually, or I’ll need those “Clockwork Orange” clips to see! LOL
Henry Clemmons (Walk Away)
A mirror of time reflecting life. Great. Enjoyed this MUCH!
Sharp Little Pencil
Like a “Wrinkle in Time,”? LOL “Some Wrinkles in Time”! Thanks for stopping, Henry! Amy
vivinfrance
Absolutely charming: I love story poems. Please can you explain the reference to Mrs O’Leary’s cow and fire?
Sharp Little Pencil
The Great Chicago Fire of the 1890s. It was a myth that Mrs. O’Leary had a cow that kicked over a kerosene lamp, thus starting the entire conflagration. Urban legend, perhaps one of the first American urban legends, when you think about it!
trisha
just awesome. so full of sweetness and love.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Trisha! Amy
Tilly Bud
A wonderful poem that left me smiling.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Linda. I consider that payback for all the smiles you’ve brought to my face! Amy
Roger Green
Way cool. One might think it was autobiographical, but that COULDN’T be the case.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, it SOOOO is! And the picture isn’t airbrushed, just a good angle, LOL
Kerry O'Connor
I loved the progression of this poem – the phases of life which give character to the face, and the good grace of finding someone who loves every line and sign of age.
Sharp Little Pencil
And Kerry, thanks, because I am very pleased to be where I am in life. Either that, or I’m in total denial!!!
Madeleine Begun Kane
That was so very lovely!
And thanks so much for dropping by with your enthusiastic words (and limerick) congratulating me on my Robert Benchley Society award. I really appreciate it and enjoyed your limerick!
Sharp Little Pencil
All credit was due you. Your sense of humor is infectious! Thanks for the limerick comment, too… A
Andy
I like how you go through all the different stages of life through the mirror.
My fav lines: “More circles than a box of Cheerios
More wrinkles than a pug puppy
More fire in her eyes than Mrs. O’Leary’s cow ever wrought
More twinkle than Tinkerbell
More love than she thought she’d ever have”
Well done!
Sharp Little Pencil
The stages literally came to me as I did what the prompt indicated: Go take a good, long look at the mirror. Then memories of doing just that started popping up, and then this poem. Thanks so much for this in-depth comment, much appreciated. And now to review YOUR hijinx…! Amy
Ellen
I love your take, from youth to now! Beautiful, the reality of seeing the images reflecting back was a powerful way to write! Great poem~
Sharp Little Pencil
I see all my ages when I look in the mirror… maybe that is a gift of being bipolar. Depends on the mood…
Mr. Walker
Oh, please. You do not have “more circles than a box of Cheerios”! That’s a great line, though. I like how you had more than one look in the mirror – very thoughtful. (I wonder how autobiographical this one is; but I’m not going to ask – it’s a lovely changing self-portrait over time, whether it’s true or not). If that last stanza is true, how wonderful for you both.
Richard
Sharp Little Pencil
Last stanza is sooooo true, and the Cheerios line just came out of a synapse that exploded in my cranium. I really liked that line.
The whole poem is the gospel truth. I’m 54 and look it, grey hair, wrinkles, and all. I am the Crone Queen and people seem to take me more seriously now… although that mayt be a bit of a mistake on their part…! Amy
Renee
You so well illustrate getting older and the perception or mis-perception of it all. All in the eye of the beholder. Nicely done.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Renee. Either my husband is very nearsighted, or he just plain loves me, wrinkles and all. He assures me it’s the latter! Amy