Look Yourself in the Eyes

A Poem

Photo by Camille Ralston on Unsplash

it’s become a cliché
to sit there and describe
someone staring at themselves
in the mirror
as if there’s no better way
to face your own reflection

but i’m in front of the looking glass,
wondering why i can’t go
where Alice went
as if Wonderland might solve
all my problems
building and building

the truth is
i can’t look at that girl
glaring at me with hateful eyes
because all her scorn
is meant for me, me, me
since her lot in life is mine

and promises
die on the vine —
because no matter what
i can’t bring myself to love
what i see and what i know,
what simply gazes back at me

and maybe i could
have given myself the credit —
but, no, i won’t do that
because that girl’s a mess
just looking for an excuse
to light up and combust