We see ourselves or portions of ourselves relected in mirrors, panes of glass, Buzzfeed quizzes, our children’s mannerisms, our daily horoscopes, Tarot readings and the reactions to our presence in the faces around us. We trust the accuracy of some reflections, but other surfaces—fun house mirrors and Instagram selfies—are either distorted or are carefully edited versions of ourselves.
Choose a surface—the most unlikely the better—and describe what you see of yourself, what is missing, what is true and what is changed. How much do you trust yourself as viewer?
If you need ideas to get you started, read these powerful poems, “Taking Aim at a Macy’s Changing Room Mirror, I Blame Television” by Marcus Wicker, “Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear” by Alice B. Fogel and “Mirror and Scarf” by Edmond Jabès. And of course I could not omit Sylvia Plath‘s famous “Mirror” poem.
The water adds part of itself to its reflection of the trees with its ripples. The light and tint differed between this photo and from my sight. A viewer adds assumptions, past experiences and expectations to whatever viewed. Reflect upon yours.