Home » Poems » Bj Legros Kelley » An Odd Recognition

An Odd Recognition

I couldn't find her, oh, where did she go? Energetic young woman, that I used to know She'd once had her hair always done at the mall She'd answer the phone any time one should call I looked through her home where I knew I should find her It seemed Darker than once, though, My eyes are now blinder... I stepped into the dismal and yellowed hall's light A woman stood staring, and we both jumped with fright I drew in a quick breath, for soon I could see An odd recognition, familiar to me I took a step closer; she took one as well, The woman I'd sought...? If so? She looked like hell. Then both our fists flew, With one piercing shout.... She crumbled to pieces... Bloody mirror... Thrown out!

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Deb M

Date: 10/5/2023 6:52:00 AM

Excellent poem of reflection and ageing…written beautifully B.J! Debx

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:38:00 PM

Thank you so much Deb, you're always so encouraging to me sweet friend!! :)

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/3/2023 8:07:00 PM

Read this again, BJ. It reads even better the second time around. Nice work!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:37:00 PM

Thank you again Gershon, you're so encouraging to me :)

Karen Jones

Date: 9/21/2023 10:27:00 AM

Hahaha love this engaging humorous poem!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:37:00 PM

I'm glad you liked it Karen! :) <3

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/7/2023 8:55:00 AM

HA. i kind of saw that coming!!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:36:00 PM

Hahaha, oh Andrea, lol! :)

Bill Baker

Date: 9/5/2023 3:25:00 PM

That was intense with and ending with a twist. A surprise ending as well, BJ. You got my girl. I like the poem and enjoyed reading your poetry today, my friend. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:35:00 PM

Lol, haha, thank you Bill :) Your comment made me laugh, it isn't one of my more typical writes I know :) Have a blessed week my friend!

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/5/2023 2:20:00 AM

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Reminds me of the old nursery song. Loved it.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:33:00 PM

Lol, Victor, I must have subconsciously seen your comment as I replied to Judy in her comment right below yours. You have inspired me even in your short and encouraging reply! I don't want to be a jealous ole' witch ;) I'm glad my daughters are not showing signs of age like their old mama, thank God! The mirror, however? Oh, it can go! Through the window or out the door, and it need not come back anymore! Lol!! :D

Judy Ball

Date: 8/28/2023 10:26:00 PM

I loved this BJ. So often I talk about that ugly old woman in my mirror who won't go away. This really brought a smile to my face. Good One. God Bless, JB

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:28:00 PM

Oh Judy! I have never seen you in person, but gosh, you are one of the most amazing and beautiful women I have ever been blessed to know :) Mirror, mirror on the wall, I wish they'd all just break and fall, lol ;) But seriously? All I see is your heart, and what a lovely reflection do I see! Hugs to you sweet friend, I hope you are doing well <3

Silent One

Date: 8/28/2023 2:50:00 AM

Aah, i feel your words here.. as im at that stage.. i miss my hair, but still have my youthfull looks... we all will go through this and these thoughts.... we are like petals arnt we... our life is like the seasons.... we blossom from spring to summer, but come the fall we just wither away and in the winter we are no more... loved your poem.. you write so well..

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:24:00 PM

That is so beautiful Silent One, comparing our lives to petals, blossom, and fall. In the winter we are gone. Such a beautiful and deep insight. I guess though, even when we pass, we can leave a potpourri of the spices and aromas of our existence, reflecting on our lives. Even your comments are so deeply beautiful, thank you for your visit and words. You are so encouraging to me!

Ink Empress

Date: 8/26/2023 7:58:00 AM

Some mirrors can deceive us too, what an intriguing and creative write this is. Absolutely love the way you’ve crafted and delivered this in such a thoughtful and poetic manner. And the twist and the powerful ending there left me in awe! Great storytelling really. I loved reading this, Ink

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:15:00 PM

Thank you so much Ink, for your visit and your comment. I do find that one mirror in the house actually seems to be kinder :) I'm so glad you liked the poem, your words really encourage me. :)

Mike Gentile

Date: 8/25/2023 5:03:00 AM

BJ, I did not know where this was going but when I realized, I burst forth in laughter!! I can so relate ! This piece is so very entertaining and inspirational ( you've inspired me to throw out my mirror as well)!! Happy Friday xxoo

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:13:00 PM

Mike, you made me laugh too, lol! I'm glad you found my poem inspiring!! :D I hope you're having a great week :) <3

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/21/2023 5:06:00 PM

Oh my what a surprise ending

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:11:00 PM

Lol, thanks Andrea :) <3

Joe Maverick

Date: 8/21/2023 11:15:00 AM

Well I hope there was not too much Blood on that mirror B J.? I think i This is all a story?? But is it a true Reflection.? The dang thing is how Can i tell? As looks like you have Destroyed any evidence.' I must say I'm a trifle miffed at that, I thought you Would have been more accomodating As in, to others! who could nose in So to beak.. LOL))

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:10:00 PM

Lol, oh no, not as in bloody as in Bloody, lol, but the term fit so well. My great grandpop came from Great Britain, he used that term for everything good or bad. Our family still has that lingo batting around after all those years!! I asked my sisters "Why do we say that?? Stuff like, "Oh! That was so bloody good!" Or "I'm so bloody sick of this, or that!!" Both gave me blank looks, we didn't know, till we remembered Grandpa!! So, no, no blood :)

Anisha Dutta

Date: 8/20/2023 11:28:00 PM

So Realistic ! I myself hardly look at the mirror since I crossed Seventy. Very hard to accept the feature of an old lady. What to do ! This is life. Any way, have Good Days

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:05:00 PM

Oh, I used to have mirrors to reflect light all through my house, they are not so welcome these days!! I guess we just have to go with the flow :) You have good days too Anisha, I feel bad commenting so late. I've been so busy with grandkids! Well, I may be getting old, but staying busy keeps me from feeling too sorry for myself! Kids keep me younger at heart anyway ;)

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/20/2023 6:31:00 PM

Nicely, tightly drawn narrative there, BJ! Poifect, I say! Ole, Gershon

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:01:00 PM

Why, thank you Gershon, I couldn't ask for a higher complement than poifect! :)

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/19/2023 8:04:00 AM

Good one about how age takes its toll. I like the rhythm, rhyme and flow of this one and the ideas behind it. Thanks for sharing and visiting my p age. Sara

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 4:00:00 PM

Oh, time, it's so greedy, it's rate on exacting tolls is pretty high! Thank you for your visit and comment Sara, I will be back for a visit soon :) <3

Heidi Sands

Date: 8/19/2023 6:55:00 AM

This is a great one BJ. Great story telling. :)

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 3:58:00 PM

Thank you Heidi! :) <3

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/19/2023 6:07:00 AM

LOL, get rid of the mirror! Who scratched up the mirror with cracks? Why are our smiles under attack? Love the rage! Hugs ~ Kim

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 3:57:00 PM

Lol, yes, for pity sake!! :D !! It's the mirror cracking, not our faces, right?! Hugs to you as well Kim! :) <3

Vijay Pandit

Date: 8/19/2023 5:11:00 AM

Your story had me glued to your words, BJ. Didn't expect the turn in the ending as I was reading. A poem well delivered, my friend.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 3:55:00 PM

Thank you Vijay, for your visit and kind words :) <3

Hiya Sharma

Date: 8/19/2023 2:36:00 AM

This one's a very deep and intriguing poem which takes a quite heartfelt turn in the end. The way you've highlighted, how one was so full of life and enthusiasm some years ago and how she has changed, almost unrecognizable. A very insightful and wonderfully crafted piece, took me on a journey!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 10/11/2023 3:54:00 PM

Thank you for your sweet comment Hiya, life is quite a journey, and when things begin to catch up with us, it's quite surprising, even if it shouldn't be :) I do miss being younger and more energetic. Happily, my husband is a tad older than me. His eyes don't see as well as they used to and he still (God will probably forgive him for lying so sweetly :), says I'm pretty, lol! Anyway, thank you for your visit and kind, encouraging words to me! :) <3

Anna Marie Kaianah

Date: 8/18/2023 8:58:00 PM

Haha! Another great write BJ! Not gonna lie I get startled when I see myself in the mirror sometimes lol! Stay safe my friend and keep on writing! ~Anna Kaianah

Anna Marie Kaianah
Date: 8/19/2023 12:14:00 AM

Omw!!! That is hilarious!!! :D

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 8/18/2023 9:36:00 PM

By the way, though I really did get startled by my reflection in a full length mirror one night, the rest of this poem was just fictional, though related to the flying bird incident ;) One of the funniest things that has ever happened in our many years of marriage :D We STILL laugh about that one, 43 years later!

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 8/18/2023 9:12:00 PM

Lol, well sweet Anna, you just wait till you get older, then your reflection may bring on a stronger startle affect, my case anyway ;) My husband once startled terribly, early in the morning. I had washed his uniform because he hadn't picked his fresh ones up from the drycleaners. Well, our vent was on the floor, and I had a cute plastic bird cage with an adorable toy stuffy-bird which hung from a hook over the vent. When rocked the toy bird would tweet. I hung his damp uniform on a hangar from that cage, hoping it would dry before he needed it. He walked out at about 4:30-5:00 a.m. the next morning to get ready for work. I heard him yell "Hey!" then the toy bird "Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!" and then a crash. He saw his uniform, and it was attached to what looked like a head (that cage!!!) thinking it was a prowler, he punched it, the only time that toy bird ever flew, lol!!