Mirror Mirror Who Is That

Mirror, Mirror, Who Is That?

Who is that
Sleeping close enough
 To dream of kissing my nose…?
Well, almost…

Who is that who keeps inside 
Of him the man I’ve loved 
For more than forty years?

Who is that whose hair — once mink brown —
Appears whiter these days…now blending with
 Pillowcase white at night?

ngth Who is that who’s kidnapped
My darling, young husband, bearing
— I thought — the strength of youth for all of life?

With the decades passing…with their toll on
Our looks, bones, and veins, along comes this 
Rage!  How each night it thieves a bit of youth 
     for a ransom of age!

Who is that, then, who could ask who I am?  
My heart’s love — just as his — is deeper, no older
Than when we met and married …still keeping
Each new dawn full with hope, and for our life ahead,
     we still author dreams’ envisioning.
     


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(c) sally yougeslinger 11/17/2023
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Beaufort Avatar
May 2, 2024 at 5:46 PM
Sally, this is beautiful. As I read poetry here, I am sometimes surprised at the value added in that I can learn from others. Life is full of so many challenges, and how do we enable ourselves to feel good about all we go through? It takes a lot of work. Thanks for this one.
Eslinger Avatar
May 2, 2024 at 10:00 PM
And i thank you, Duke, for this part of your why here & am honored by your rich compliment. I find something to appreciate in most every poem i read. Thank you for all your readingnof my work!
Baker Avatar
November 21, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Sal, I'm so proud of you for being able to share your wonderful attitude with us after all these years of thinking young and sharing your poetry and love with others. Your poem says a lot about carrying on as we age, especially when bedridden or ill to the point of little activity anymore. I wanted to congratulate you on having your poem published in Poetry Soup's latest Anthology! YEAH !!! I also wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Hugs, Bill
Eslinger Avatar
November 23, 2023 at 10:00 PM
Bill, I am grateful for long aging/age, but can think of next to zip I’d claim to like, except that Love does deepen if one has kept at it…love for spouse, God, strangers, poetry, Nature, music, beauty, truth…. 8-). Love!
Maverick Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 11:57 PM
Oh my sally.' This touches so much of my Awareness, May the Lord bless you '
Eslinger Avatar
November 23, 2023 at 9:52 PM
Joe, hi! Hope your Thanksging was good! Yes. I know we learn to be thankful life allows us to live into old age, but while, yes, that is wonderful, there can be a lot aching in that Demark, you could say…Acceptance doesn’t completely follow the gratitde. People will load u w/cliche stuff abt that too. I struggle with it every day & IMHOspeak the true of it. Thank u for your dear comment Xox
DiMino Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 7:44 AM
"Who is that, then, who could ask who I am? My heart’s love just as his, is deeper, not older Than when we met and married, still with dawn’s refreshed envisioning." Sensitive truth. I try to see all in the light of dawn, though the aches and pains cast a slight shadow. Precious poetry.
Eslinger Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Thank you, Joe! Sure hope you’re keeping it all together cool inthe jive of life & not screechingthru the galactic streams too too much! xoxo
M  Avatar
November 17, 2023 at 1:03 PM
How very beautiful Sally….growing old together is a wonderful gift! Debx
Eslinger Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Deb, thank you & True..gift! Blessing! God’s meaning & desin for His unknow reason. I’ve lived 64 yrs past age 8 when i got a very brittle case oftype 1 diabetes (a scourge). I am thankfu EVERY DAY tobe alive, in service to God, & in love! Blessings!
Pandit Avatar
November 17, 2023 at 6:48 AM
How each night thieves a bit of youth for a ransom of age!--a powerful thought Sally. My heart’s love just as his, is deeper, not older Than when we met and married--well said--blessings my friend.
Eslinger Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Vijay, thank you. Honored by your visit to my pg! Yes, i perhaps got the thought to inspires a memorable line…hmmm….may the muses bewith you!
Meadows Avatar
November 17, 2023 at 12:30 AM
A good poem. Well done.
Eslinger Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 11:28 AM
Hi Jeanette, thank you for coming by to read and comment…always an appreciated thing for all of us. Blessing of health & inspiration!
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