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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021



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

Date: 4/11/2023 3:02:00 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!
Login to Reply
Sambourne Avatar
Brian Sambourne
Date: 4/11/2023 3:25:00 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
Date: 8/1/2021 10:23:00 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.
Login to Reply
Sambourne Avatar
Brian Sambourne
Date: 8/1/2021 10:28:00 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
Date: 7/17/2021 3:43:00 AM
Oh, yes, I can relate to this honesty " thunderbolts compose themselves in questions " Nicely done!
Login to Reply
Sambourne Avatar
Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/17/2021 7:04:00 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
Date: 7/6/2021 3:20:00 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 :)
Login to Reply
Sambourne Avatar
Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/6/2021 9:39:00 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
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter