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the pond
i see her.
she approached wearily to the water’s edge,
as if scared of her reflection.
her knees indented the soft clay soil
and her hair hung down across her face.
she wept.
the reeds swayed to comfort her.
the young frog tried to raise her spirits.
down below the water’s glazed surface,
my world floated quietly.
i swam in rhythmic circles,
just deeper than her insecurities would let her see.
through glassy tears,
the girl fixated on her reflection.
ripping and tearing it at its weakest seams.
she cursed the paper white skin.
the lips like thin petals.
and of course,
she scoured at her nose.
it was a mountain range that divided her face.
i wished to pull her under,
with her back pressed against the pond’s bottom,
she could see herself on the banks
and realize how cruel she was.
if i could speak,
i would tell her that
she was worthy
and enough.
that whether her reflection held
wild ripples or still water.
she deserved to swim among
the uncharted depths of the pond.
that after many days
she will become more than the
reflection.
she will become the pond itself.
one day
she will unlearn the manufactured beauty.
unsee the flaws.
unhear the mocking tones and invasive opinions.
she will find the
divine love for herself.
and she will return to the pond.
this time she will not weep.
she will apologize to a friend.
among the willows and foxtail, the girl sat.
she leaned over the crystal water once again.
i was suspended in the glossy liquid
while i watched as
the reflection forgave the girl
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I am an aspiring poet and novelist living in Los Angeles, California. I grew up homeschooled, which gave me free time throughout the day to write and explore the world around me. I have always been fascinated by story-telling, finding it to be one of the most powerful tools of culture, and writing has been my way to connect to that energy. I draw inspiration from both the world of my imagination and the reality I experience. This specific piece was a reflection of self-image and the multiple sides to teenage self-consciousness. My goal is to represent the empowerment that vulnerability can provide and show others my age that claiming your narrative is liberating.