Featured / all

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  Are Your Favorite Celebrities Are Climate Criminals? What Do You Do About It? [OPINION]

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 ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *