Opaque Mirror

In the mirror's gaze, I see

The dim outline of an old face

Wrinkled with worry, a reflection of me

But beyond the surface, there's a deeper grace

For the future is an opaque mirror

Revealing only a fraction of our truth

It's not the measure of what we hold dear

But rather a reminder of our fleeting youth

We spend too much time critiquing

Our outward appearance, our flaws and lines

But it's what's inside that needs seeking

To nourish our souls, to let our light shine

So let's not focus on the reflection

But on the depth within our heart

For true beauty lies in our connection

To love, to kindness, to living our part

Let's prepare for the future, yes

But let's not be consumed by its sight

For life is multidimensional, a beautiful mess

And what matters most is how we live in the light

So let's embrace our old worried face

And see it as a sign of all we've been through

Let's focus on kindness, love, and grace

For that's what truly shines, that's what's real and true. ("Opaque Mirror") by Courtney Weaver Jr.