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VOX Teen Poetry: “A Land of No Mirrors”

by share

I wonder how the world would be if we lived with no mirrors

And the only beauty or value I could see of myself was in somebody else’s eyes 

Would you make me hate me?

Would your side looks toss aside my self-esteem?

In that instance, my identity lies in your hands 

Would you holster me up as a free sample of diversity?

To avoid getting canceled or a scandal 

But you see I never understood how there could be diversity where there are minorities 

I wonder how the world would be if we lived with no mirrors?

And the only beauty or value I could see of myself was in somebody else’s eyes 

Would you make me hate me?

If I could not see myself, how would I know what was wrong with me?

What I should correct to be correct by your standard 

Would I wallow in the depression of things I can’t change?

Would I estrange parts of me like genitals and skin? 

Would I begin allowing what’s natural to be nurtured under your pen?

Would you write me invisible to the world we live in?

Because I’m not you 

It was never a lack of ability or a lack of aptitude 

The attitude formed around what gets a gold star 

Was far from us 

I understand that when someone says traditionally, they’re never referencing me 

Or when they say normally, we agree that I’m not what you see 

I find it ironic how much our minds are controlled in the land of the free 

That I can have the same degree, but my application would be unseen 

Or pulled from an affirmative action pile 

And expected to smile because I’ll be your poster kid for a while 

Cheese 

I wonder how the world would be if we lived with no mirrors

And the only beauty or value I could see of myself was in somebody else’s eyes 

Would you ever think about the message you put into mine?

READ  (Un)True [POETRY]

About Jayla Jackson

/VOX ATL Teen Contributor

Jayla Jackson, 16, and attends Holy Innocents Episcopal School. Jayla is an author, poet, public speaker, and scholar. She developed a love for the mechanics of language at a ...

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