A Poem: Just look at her

by Laurel Storey on June 12, 2014

Just look at her…
she should be ashamed of herself!
tsk, tsk
absolutely disgusting, isn’t it?

Just look at her…
rolls of fat around her middle
details (but not bulk) camouflaged by baggy tops
never belted or tucked

Just look at her…
so self-conscious, thinking everyone’s staring at her
whispering about her, judging her
(well, aren’t they?)

Just look at her…
hate the indulgent ugliness
hate the hidden shame made manifest
for everyone to see

Just look at her…
look, despise, berate
then, sickened,
step away from the mirror.

(Originally posted in March, 2012.)

Tagged as: my poetry, NaBloPoMo 2014

Laurel Storey, CZT – Certified Zentangle Teacher. Writer, reader, tangler, iPhoneographer, cat herder, learner of French and Italian, crocheter, needle felter, on-and-off politics junkie, 80s music trivia freak, ongoing work in progress.

{ 28 comments… add one }

Kim Tackett
Twitter: thekimtackett
June 12, 2014

thanks for the reminder!
Kim Tackett recently posted… sign language

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  You’re welcome, Kim. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Andrea B (
Twitter: goodgirlgonered
June 12, 2014

Powerful. Very powerful stuff.

I cringed, flinched and felt it. Each and every word.
Andrea B ( recently posted… Sweet Tooth, Tim Anderson ~ book review

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Andrea. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Corinne Rodrigues
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
June 12, 2014

Very powerful piece, Laurel! Isn’t it sad how we allow ourselves to be defined by wrong perceptions!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… 13 Ways To Save Energy When Working From Home

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Corinne. It is indeed.
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Swathi Shenoy June 12, 2014

Ah I hate the mirror too sometimes!! Later I realize its probably bad to be so harsh with myself! good one Lauren 🙂
Swathi Shenoy recently posted… Wishes – Five Sentence Fiction #9

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Swathi. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Tami Principe
Twitter: recreatingyou
June 12, 2014

Nice blog! People see what they want to see. Some see past that and see their own beauty. It truly makes you think!
Tami Principe recently posted… Welcome

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Tami. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Joan Harrington
Twitter: joantruesuccess
June 12, 2014

Nice poem! Thanks for sharing your awesome post Laurel!
Joan Harrington recently posted… How To Increase Your Site Conversions

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Joan. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Shailaja V
Twitter: shyvish
June 12, 2014

This is a very sad and very unfortunate picture, but it’s sadly true. How often I must have said this to myself, Laurel. Makes you pause and think.
Shailaja V recently posted… Glimmer of hope- #55WordChallenge

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thanks, Shailaja. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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nabanita
Twitter: nabanita21
June 12, 2014

So moving and powerful ! So true for so many and always perhaps
nabanita recently posted… Timeless Sketches…

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Nabanita. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Kathy Combs June 12, 2014

One of the reasons I hate mirrors. They reveal glaring truths I would rather ignore. ♥
Kathy Combs recently posted… The Proposal

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  I hear you, Kathy!
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Susan Bonifant June 12, 2014

I just said right out loud: “Oh my God.” You got me. That was like a jump scene. Excellent point, artfully made.

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you so much, Susan. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Diane
Twitter: Wordwrights, Ink
June 12, 2014

Genius, Laurel! How true it is. We are our own worst critics!
Diane recently posted… My ‘G’ String

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Too true, Diane!
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Life Breath Present June 12, 2014

Great poem! Wonderful and powerful all at once. Very very well written, Laurel!
Life Breath Present recently posted… Success Can Kill You – Book Review & Giveaway

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you so much. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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ElaineLK June 13, 2014

Very sad and thought-provoking. I didn’t see that ending coming! The mirror has never been my best friend, either.

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Elaine. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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Aditi
Twitter: kaushiva
June 13, 2014

Such a powerful piece! And a reminder to step away and love n embrace who you are! Loved it!
Aditi recently posted… A Woman’s Portrait (Chapter 1)

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- Laurel Regan
  Twitter: alphabetsalad
  June 13, 2014
  
  Thank you, Aditi. 🙂
  Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Sky
  
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