The poem was written on September 18, 2024. The 40 line, free-form poem is in rough-draft form – not to be confused with a first draft. This piece evolved into other drafts that will be shared at a later date. The theme of the poem is once again “Beauty.”
The poem reflects an individual struggling with their self-image in a way that manifests as dysmorphia. The harsh imagery and language were used intentionally to inspire thought. It was written while researching body dysmorphia in various groups of people, for public health class assignments.
The most common forms of dysmorphia are seen in individuals with eating disorders and broadly across the transgender community. In truth, the poem aimed to try to bridge my own understanding of transgender individuals’ feelings. Of what they may experience when the mirror reflects what they don’t feel on the inside. The poem used the perspective of women who suffered from body shaming induced dysmorphia.
The original poem was written in first person perspective. That, raised alarms with other’s, about my wellbeing. As did many other poems written during the Health and Beauty contemplation period. 🤔😁🤪
Once upon a time
Long ago, when she thought
She was beautiful
And special, unique –
Blissful ignorance.
Rose-colored glasses
Covered her eyes, to
Show glimmers of herself
Like a mirage in
The desert, lost and
So hopeful that it
Really was true. She’s
Pretty, thin, happy.
Falsehood, deception
Of the mind, tricked
Thinking flesh is thin
Or too thick, never
Can tell. These mirrors
Always so confusing,
Ever-changing but
Uglier. Eyes are
Deceivers, screaming
Loudness booming from
Echoes in her skull.
The mirror, no truth.
Yet again, almost
Looks like she has it
Together – total
Lie, she sees a blimp
Five-hundred pounds, that
The scale doesn’t read.
Her eyes and mind, are
Hijacked by same old
Insecurities
Blinding her. Left with
just her ugliness,
Perhaps vanity.
What will set her free?
To vanquish the ghost
That always remains…
The weight of insecurity.
Perfectly Human 