Butterflies

I look in the mirror and I see a boy

Lifeless eyes, filled with fear.

I pity the boy,

I share his pain,

I wish I could reach out,

and tell him he’ll be alright,

But it feels wrong

To lie to a child

I look in the mirror and I hate what I see,

I look for the faults, perceive each flaw,

This body is no temple

It must be desecrated,

Torn down and forgotten in time.

I look in the mirror and see the pain

I’ve inflicted.

I’ve bruised and scarred

This helpless victim.

Limb from limb,

Body from soul

I look in the mirror

With subsided rage.

I still don’t recognise what I see

But I’m learning

To respect my own complexity.

I look in the mirror and I see a canvas

That can be shaped and moulded

To reflect what I feel.

A metamorphosis of colour,

Chance to be born anew

I hope that one day

I look in the mirror

And I see myself.

I see all of me reflected

And I love what I see.

- Hazel South