Mirror in your eyes

In the mirror I see the appearance I chose to share with this physical world.
There are so many things that are great about me, yet I wonder if it is seen?
What do others see; is it my beautiful gray eyes or my big ears?
Do they like my hands, as I do; or do they focus on my long nose?

I hang a shirt on my shoulders; drape my trousers around my waist.
I frame my neck with a favorite tie then, finish it off with good shoes.
This is the man I know; slender, tall, and full of life with a sparkle in the eye.
What do others see; what do they gossip about when I am not around?

The morning ritual continues; from doing my hair to brushing my teeth.
What will I be remembered for today?
I carry the burden to care for; and maintain, this body it wears.
I can live with my mirror image; the reflection in your eyes is what haunts me.

Am I disillusioned; am I really liked or is their chuckles when I am gone?
I will never know unless a loyal friend tells me.
I would rather know the stark cold truth, than to feel this doubt I have.
No hope; for it is easier to speak behind another’s back than to confront them.

Maybe I can find an answer in the way I see others and the friend I am to them.
Do I practice the things I despise; do the things that would hurt me?
Does the unsightly girl get the same treatment as that beautiful brunette?
How ashamed I stand now… I am the very person I despise as a friend.

Yet, honestly; I prefer to be in the company of beauty and a well groomed being.
I am so weak at times; really, this superficiality is degrading who I am.
But, still I find myself preferring perfection, unflawed beauty.
What is this thing I have stumbled upon; this ugly thing I uncovered?

Is this how others see me?
Maybe my shirt is not good enough and I should push some weights around.
I’ll buy new trousers and have a decent haircut; just to impress those like me.
I will behave myself and remember etiquette; maybe swear a little less.

I pity those who gain or lose weight, just to fit in with those that don’t.
Weight products are sold by near-perfect beings; does it pleasure them?
They help those they view as imperfect; just to rid their eyes of an unpleasant scene.
Maintain and care for your complete being, but don’t starve a slender frame.
By : Thys Groesbeek