Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Mirror

Gym exuberance of inflated expectations,
          a zone of grunt and sweat
I curl my way to fifty crunches,
          sit ups like the urgency of passion
My puffing, a heart racing horror,
          gulped breath like frayed bag pipes
                                                       groaning

Misplaced faith that ripped abdominals 
         will return
         comforting false belief, the glue of gym religion
         trying to barter with time
         to restore a faded body image

This flabby stomach resisting restoration
        subdued by the clarity of aging
Hushed denial that youthful prime has been cut in two
        like an apple severed
Where to shake blame's finger?

Gym mirror strikes a keen awareness of self
         as my reflective stare craves a different truth
         to soften the starch of aging
         to soothe the bully tones of real

When truth cannot be unglued from what the mirror
          tells you











Poem composed: June 6, 2021
Revised: July 28/21

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Marikate Kingston April 11, 2023 at 3:02 PM Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Hard to age and watch your body change, BUT as long as you exercise that's what counts. Think of your happy heart! Brian Sambourne April 11, 2023 at 3:25 PM Greetings Marikate. You are wise indeed. Ignore the mirror + all that sags. My waist is still a size 36 so that's not too bad for an aging boomer. Hope that you are well. My appreciation for your stop by. Sincerely, Brian

Gary Radice August 1, 2021 at 10:23 AM Very astute observations, Brian, and great use of words wrapped up in a free verse that had me smiling, nodding in agreement and 'reflecting' on several home body truths all of my own to the very end. This is an excellent poem worthy of many more positive comments. Brian Sambourne August 1, 2021 at 10:28 AM Thank you, Gary. Your encouragement is a tonic to my wayward pen. 'Mirror' recently hit an NA wall so little exposure to date. Take care. Hope your creative verse continues. Cheers Brian

Caren Krutsinger July 17, 2021 at 3:43 AM Oh, yes, I can relate to this honesty " thunderbolts compose themselves in questions " Nicely done! Brian Sambourne July 17, 2021 at 7:04 AM Hi Caren, Oh yes, the honesty of the mirror in the face of self deception - ah gym days. Thank you for stopping by. Brian

Susan Woodrow July 6, 2021 at 3:20 PM oh good one! so many truths worded so well starting from inflated expectations lol the kettle description especially good and had me thinking of kettle bells or is it kettle ball weights?, which scare the living heck straight out on my lower back hehe Very enjoyable read that's so relatable :) Brian Sambourne July 6, 2021 at 9:39 PM Thanks very much, Susan. I always appreciate your insightful views. Heading back to seniors' fitness class soon - flab + resolution in tow. Best wishes, Brian