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a space for youth writing on mental health & identity
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a space for youth writing on mental health & identity
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![]() I look into the mirror and see not myself but eyes, a nose, and a mouth that resemble mine. I raise a hand up to my face. My reflection does the same. She taunts me. I look at her and see not myself but all that is wrong with me. I see not my hair but the grease that suffocates it. It hurts to shower. I see not my eyes but the bags that weigh them down.
I can't sleep. I see not my teeth but the yellow that taints them. Acid causes decay. I see not my arms but the fat that still hangs. 50 pushups. I see not my stomach but the rolls it so stubbornly retains 100 sit-ups. I see not my hips but the stretch marks that distort them. High-waisted pants. I see not my thighs but the scars that haunt them; Don’t go swimming. The scars remind me of the girl I’m looking at. The reflection that inspired them. The loathing that followed. Who hurt her? My reflection answers, “Me.” I close my eyes. I see not. Comments are closed.
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Unless otherwise noted, all pictures used are open-source images in the public domain. Archives
September 2023
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