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Mind Over Mirror

It's easy to live in your head
Spending a month in a hospital bed

I was a fit blonde twenty-three
With a box of red hair dye on the table beside me

In my mind I was already there
Just had to get home to actually dye my hair

Once home a chair and mirror were set up for me
I disrobed, the first time since the accident my body to see

I sat long with the mirror in a mild state of shock
Surveying soft sunken muscle that used to be rock

So strong in my memory this girl looked so weak
Such a lesson in mortality sure makes one meek

I sighed and acquainted myself with this stranger
Picked up the hair dye and set forth to be her.

17.09.20

Composed for Craig Cornish's
"Mirror Mirror" Contest

Copyright © Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart | Year Posted 2017

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Ricky Muse Date: 10/15/2017 4:15:00 PM "I sighed and acquainted myself with this stranger." Really like this poem especially this line. An ode to mortality. Thanks for sharing..........peace! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/15/2017 9:57:00 PM It is an ode to mortality! Thank you:) love that! Cheers xomo

Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/7/2017 7:42:00 PM WOw, this is GREAT writing, Maureen. And the ending was incredible!! I was enticed by the title you gave it and was not disappointed. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/8/2017 7:43:00 AM Thank you so much Andrea :) funny an impactful moment like that that just waits a couple decades for the right poetic prompt (lol) from you a massive compliment, thank you kindly dear poetess!

Christopher Flaherty Date: 10/7/2017 7:00:00 PM Wow Powerful Absorbing 7 I fear to ask but I am taken Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/8/2017 7:37:00 AM :) thank you Christopher

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 10/3/2017 7:56:00 AM Hello Maureen, your body will heal. Yes changing your hair colour will help to pep you up. You went through a lot. You will heal my friend in time. Have a nice day my friend.xxoo Darlene De B. Login to Reply Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 10/4/2017 10:00:00 AM You have a great day my friend. xxx ooo Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/3/2017 11:25:00 AM Darlene you're so sweet! Thank you :) the accident was over twenty years ago, that still a crystal clear moment. A lovely day to you! xomo

Kelly Deschler Date: 10/1/2017 9:26:00 PM Sometimes a positive change is necessary in order to find out who we really are or were... I was deeply moved by these powerful lines... Very well written and expressed, Maureen... Good luck in the contest! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/2/2017 9:07:00 AM Thank you Kelly :)

Kim Rodrigues Date: 9/29/2017 9:18:00 AM A great write! Sometimes pieces of our flesh are taken away but finding hope is the key to moving on. <3 Kim Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/29/2017 9:29:00 AM True dat :) thank you Kim! xomo

Ram R. V. Date: 9/25/2017 9:56:00 PM Maureen, I did enjoy reading your poem, the rhyme rhythm and all, though a bit saddened by its background. And hoped, in my heart f hearts, that it could be a fancy:( Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/26/2017 7:56:00 AM Thank you Ram, and so kind of you to say; it would be nice if our character building moments were all positive experiences, then again I suppose if you build from them they essentially are.

Jeannie Cronin Date: 9/25/2017 5:47:00 PM What a great write Maureen. Looking forward to reading more of your work! Login to Reply

Arthur Vaso Date: 9/23/2017 8:01:00 PM I am at a loss for words, this poem for me speaks, on so many levels, loved it, and a fav! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/23/2017 8:12:00 PM :) thank you!!!

Freddie Robinson Jr. Date: 9/23/2017 11:47:00 AM Aw, such an endearing poem, Maureen. That is a humbling experience, so I can truly relate. This wonderful poem breathes of humility and hardy adaptability. You are so self-effacing, it is a rare quality one don't often see in people. Your humanity shines like a beacon. Strong, valiant poetry. Laser sharp thought poetry delivered by a braveheart poetess. Solar bright write. Love and more love always. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/23/2017 12:31:00 PM Freddie, the generosity of your pen disarms me, I hope you know how appreciated your supportive comments are, and poetic of their own write ;) hugs and muchos thank yous xomo!

Michael Vacek Date: 9/22/2017 11:36:00 PM Thank you for sharing Maureen. If I may ask...why red? Why invite the stranger in? Maybe too personal. I wondered where that red streak came from in your picture. Thank you for sharing. Writing from the heart. I love it! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/23/2017 7:48:00 AM Been every shade of red and then some, just a matter of fact. Hair changes with mood ;) shaved countless times too. It's pink and orange in the picture, after natural too long these things happen... Am otherwise a bit of a hippy.

Pete Yuhas Date: 9/22/2017 3:52:00 PM Remember Maureen, you are always the fairest one in the mirror. Good write, and thanks for visiting my page. Blessings Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/23/2017 7:43:00 AM Lovely thing to say Pete :) thank you so much! Bless xomo

Janice Canerdy Date: 9/22/2017 3:31:00 PM Well-written and moving, Maureen! Janice Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/22/2017 3:35:00 PM Thank you Janice :) xomo

Alexis Y. Date: 9/22/2017 2:47:00 PM Hi Maureen, Life has a way of showing us how special it is. It's a blessing you're still here to tell your story. Good poignant write. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.Thanks for visiting my page :-) Alexis Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/22/2017 3:35:00 PM Thank you so much Alexis :) wonderful day to you xomo!

Cheryl Hoffman Date: 9/21/2017 7:38:00 PM Your a brave soul Maureen; and this is quite a poignant realistic story! Good luck in the contest!~Che :) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/22/2017 9:03:00 AM Don't feel so brave any more, age and a hightened sense of mortality :) thanks so much! xomo

Arturo Michael Date: 9/21/2017 2:00:00 PM Can relate to this...After standing before the Reaper...I have become Mr.Humble Meek...I started writing while recovering...Enjoyed your poem...Have a nice evening Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/21/2017 2:18:00 PM :) Wonderful evening to you too!

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 9/21/2017 1:50:00 PM Life always surprises us for everything may happen from one minute to the next the problem is how we cope with it! A fine poem and a lesson dear, Maureen! Good luck my dear friend! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/21/2017 2:28:00 PM Amen. Absolutely. :) Thank you dear sweet Demetrios xomo!

Mike Gentile Date: 9/21/2017 8:22:00 AM I loved how you words made me feel. Hopeful, strong and resilient in the face of adversity, very well done! Good Luck Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/21/2017 8:29:00 AM Thanks so much Mike, what a wonderful thing to say :) I'm so glad xomo!

Pipping Stars Date: 9/21/2017 7:53:00 AM what breath belongs to us ... that a mere reflection would disgust ... our minds teach us to breathe ... it is our hearts we deceive ... ... ... you touch well with your words ... be still ... red looks good on you ... your hair is lovely ... bet it smells good too ... Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/21/2017 8:28:00 AM Tutti fruity reminds me the most missed cigarette when quit is the waiting for the bleach to set, olfactory habitual .memory. BG your wisdom complements your wit, thank you my friend xomo

Russell Sivey Date: 9/21/2017 4:37:00 AM Wow, what a strong write my friend! I surely enjoyed reading this tremendous poem here this morning! You have written a truly magnificent and intriguing piece! Great Work!! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/21/2017 7:24:00 AM Thank You so much Russell! Your kind comments always deliver smiles, so thank you dear poet for your joy and support. Wonderful day to you! xomo :)

Patricia Cresswell Date: 9/20/2017 9:13:00 PM Did you find a different person Maureen? You are brave. Thank your this poem. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/20/2017 9:31:00 PM I did. Brave/stubborn :) Do gotta say my taste buds opened up, craved foods I hated; head wound or revelation not sure...

Tim Smith Date: 9/20/2017 8:11:00 PM It was the dawning of a new start...lovely couplets mo Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/20/2017 9:34:00 PM Was indeed :) thank you Tim xomo

John Hamilton Date: 9/20/2017 7:58:00 PM Strong write but very soulful, with a sad melancholy, made me, sad but proud of your surviving accepting spirit, so well written, should do well in the contest! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/20/2017 9:46:00 PM Thank you so much John :) I knew that moment etched was a poem, I'm tickled by the prompt!

Frederic Parker Date: 9/20/2017 6:09:00 PM to see reflections of our mortality would cause our minds to shiver...nice poem on the theme...good luck Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/20/2017 6:51:00 PM True. Thank you :)

Vijay Pandit Date: 9/20/2017 4:21:00 PM A well articulated, touching poem--best wishes for the contest Maureen! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/20/2017 6:44:00 PM Thank you Vijay :)