Home » Poems » Sara Etgen-Baker » The Broken Mirror

The Broken Mirror

My mirror is broken, or at least it seems to be, for today I discovered an old woman staring back at me. She had hair of gray, and there were wrinkles around her eyes, and her face I no longer recognized. I waved. I rubbed the mirror with my sleeve. No matter what I tried, she simply wouldn't leave. This can't be me, I thought. I am much more svelte. Now just look at the way my stomach pooches out. I also thought it was quite strange. The hair atop her head was thin; what exactly brought about this change? Who was this imposter, and what is she doing there, this woman of age with thinning silver hair? Why, oh why, is my mirror doing this to me having this old woman staring back at me?

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Constance La France

Date: 8/19/2022 7:59:00 AM

Sara, wonderful poem and congratulations on having it selected as a Featured Poem this week ~

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 8/19/2022 8:01:00 AM

Thanks for your kind words, Constance! I just saw that the poem was 'featured' this week. Exciting stuff. Enjoy your weekend!

Lady Labyrinth

Date: 8/18/2022 3:24:00 PM

Dreadful things, mirrors. The portals for spaces.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 8/19/2022 8:02:00 AM

What a creative response! I like it, especially 'portals for spaces.' I agree. I also agree that mirrors can sometimes be dreadful things. Enjoy your day!

Bill Baker

Date: 8/15/2022 4:18:00 PM

Nice to see your poetry featured, Sara. I had to FAV it. :-) Love, Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 8/15/2022 4:25:00 PM

ahhhh! Thank you! You're my favorite poet!

Barbara Barry-Nishanian

Date: 6/7/2022 7:57:00 PM

Sara, hope your back gets better. New friend, you are a babe, I'm close to 84. I too have written about the mirror problem. Love to laugh at what age throws at me.

Ann Foster

Date: 3/21/2022 4:48:00 PM

This was sadly beautiful. Well written. More please. Ann

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 5/27/2022 1:29:00 PM

thank you for your encouragement, Ann. Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been ill

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/17/2022 12:50:00 PM

A wonderful/fun/cute write. Age is only a number. The mirror needs to understand this. hahaha Have a pretty/blessed spring day.................

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 5/27/2022 1:29:00 PM

thank you for reading and commenting, Paula.

Lynn D.

Date: 3/5/2022 9:54:00 AM

Good poem about aging! We all experience this.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 5/27/2022 1:29:00 PM

Aging is a humbling experience.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 1/20/2022 7:52:00 AM

You speak for us all with this reflective poem. Aging does its wonders--as you so eloquently portray, Sara.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/20/2022 3:34:00 AM

Thanks, Vijay, for reading my poem and commenting so positively. Sorry for the delay in replying--been a bit under the weather with a back injury resulting, ironically, from not recognizing I'm 70 years old and unable to lift as much weight as I once did. sigh

Anil Deo

Date: 1/11/2022 9:05:00 PM

Sara, wow. Glad u joined Bill here, too. Jesus be praised. No, the REAL YOU is part of Jesus, of eternity. Although "imposter" in the mirror is so brilliant: Bill knows YOU always, no matter the bodily image. Love. Shalom shalom from we who celebrate Christian, or God made marriages.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 2/20/2022 3:36:00 AM

Anil--thanks for your insightful comments. Aging does bring one closer to the beautiful spiritual person that dwells within us all regardless of what a mirror says. Sorry for the delay in replying...been nursing a back injury, an injuring resulting from, ironically, not recognizing I'm 70 years old and unable to lift as much weight as I once did. Sigh. enjoy your day

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 12/31/2021 3:37:00 PM

Such a fine piece written so excellently Sara, with great rhyme and flow making it such a great piece. Have a blessed New year, Gordon

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/16/2022 4:09:00 PM

Thanks, Gordon, for reading my poem and commenting. Poetry is a new venture for me. I'm more of a memoirist and narrative writer, some of which I've posted under the short story section.

Deb M

Date: 12/3/2021 5:30:00 AM

Ha ….I can relate to this Sara! What I feel inside isn’t what I see in the mirror nowadays!! Enjoyed. Debx

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/5/2021 2:08:00 PM

me neither! :-) Thanks for your comment

Bill Baker

Date: 11/17/2021 11:45:00 AM

Loved the poem Sara, great rhyming and an easy read. I agree, because I know you, that mirrow must be broken. :-) A poet friend, Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/5/2021 2:08:00 PM

thank you, dear soul mate