Space Between


The space between
me and the mirror
holds assumptions,
questions, a palette 
of colors that promise
they can paint away
my imperfections. 

In the vanity of brushes
time sings of a much
younger me, but the 
mirror is patient 
as it waits for my
eyes to look into
its silver frame of reality.

In the rawness of morning
when I look into the mirror
I see my dad, my mother’s
bluntness, my daughter 
who now travels across the moon.

I am growing more gracious
with the woman in the mirror.
I will never grow younger,
but I can grow bolder.

There’s no expiration date
on a dream or a day there
isn’t something to learn.

Mirror, I don’t seek you as
often as I once did…I now
spend my time trying to 
be a person who reflects
the spirit of the best in me. 


©Susie Clevenger 2025


 

Comments

Sherry Blue Sky said…
I love the mirror waiting for your eyes to look into its silver frame of reality. So poignant, the daughter who now travels across the moon. I especially love your closing stanza. You are a fierce and honest mother warrior, Susie. Your eyes are as honest as any I have looked into. And as strong.
Susan said…
"I am growing more gracious
with the woman in the mirror.
I will never grow younger,
but I can grow bolder."
WOW!! How I love this! And the entire poem speaks to me, brushes and all. Thank you for bringing this poem here.
rallentanda said…
Beauty is in in the eye of the beholder . There is beauty in strength and goodness regardless of age.
Marja said…
I can relate to all of it I see the same things in the mirror The last stanza is strong Love it and also love "
There’s no expiration date
on a dream or a day there
isn’t something to learn."
Mary said…
Really, I like the same lines that Susan chose the very best! They wowed me. But I will then share with you my second favorite lines:
"In the rawness of morning
when I look into the mirror
I see my dad, my mother’s
bluntness, my daughter
who now travels across the moon."

I identify with those lines as well. I have now lived longer than either one of my parents, but ...... I do look in the mirror now and see my mother in so many ways. I feel that if I reach out to the mirror I will touch HER and not me, but (as I wrote in my own poem to this prompt) I am now comfortable with that!

Thank you for this wonderful poem!
Truedessa said…
I absolutely love this part and I must remind myself of this more often. Thank you!

There’s no expiration date
on a dream
Jae Rose said…
It is indeed better to be bold..I love how you describe your journey by exploring what mirrors mean for you - Jae
Sumana Roy said…
You've amazingly showed how to elevate one's frame of mind even towards a situation represented by such a small thing like a mirror. The mirror gets its own significance too. Wow! There's so much to learn from this poem. All the lines are quote worthy. A very inspiring poem, Susie.