False Reflections

When I look into my mirror,

I am pleased with what I see.

A perfectly good representation

of the person I should be.

My face is pale and perfect.

Not a wrinkle to be found.

There's no double chin,

or extra skin,

no reason for me to frown.

I smile at this person,

this version of myself.

She gives me confidence

and reassures me,

I'm just like everyone else.

The person I see in photos

is an imitation me.

She looks nothing like the reflection

of the me I like to see.

This me is chubby cheeked and awkward.

Her beady eyes too small.

Her skin tone is patchy,

her hair unmanageable.

Who is this person in the picture?

Where did the real me go?

How can I be two people?

The one I see-

compared

-to the one you know.

The differences uncanny.

The two are not the same.

I can't believe the mirror.

Or the camera..

It's a shame.

Too many of us out there

see ourselves this way.

We struggle with self image

each and every day.

We try out new looks,

and new haircuts.

Dye jobs that might impress..

Anything that might create

an us that just makes sense.

Because the mirror only flatters,

while the photos only harm.

So..

We begin to look at ourselves

Through everyone else.

to tell us who we are.