Eyes glued to the mirror, hammer in hand
I glare at the grotesque view I don’t understand
The static ringing in my ears, tumultuous and numbing
An unanswered question gives out a shriek and a cry
It screams and shouts “who am I?”
Am I the flower in the garden, so calm and still
Full of color, full of innocence, grace and will
Or am I the cause of their ruinations, evil, vain
The villain who torments, “thrives in their pain”
‘Til now their words are whittled on my brain
“T’was a mere reflex”
“T’was an honest mistake”
“T’was only a foolish joke”
“Thy heart too easy to break”
“Thy heart is rotten to the core”
“Thou art twisted, contorted, wicked”
“Thou art blinded by thy foolish pride”
“Thee reek of vainglorious arrogance”
Am I truly the guiltless, the blameless, the righteous
Am I really clean from sin, free from the suffocating guilt
Or am I the devious criminal, who steals and kills
Deaf to the echoing of their weak and aching trills
I look at my hands, bleeding from holding on
Amidst my internal crisis, I began to ponder
Remembering such, is it worth it? I wonder
All of this toil and drudgery, have I had enough?
Someday, this would end, I am aware
Happiness and joy are waiting somewhere
Eventually, the harsh winters will end
In every problem, there is a gift
No matter how tiny or big it is
Eyes glued to the mirror, hammer away from hand
I glare at the grotesque view I now understand
The static ringing in my ears, muffled and weakening
An unanswered question coos and whispers
It curiously queries “who am I?”
I am but a normal human being
I am perfectly imperfect
I’ll remain strong and resolute
Regardless of obstacles
The author is a 13-year-old grade 9 student from Miriam College.
