When I look in the mirror, I see…..
my daughter’s small face peeking from behind me, a smile lighting it up like sunshine,
‘May I please leave my hair open today?’ she asks.
I turn back and look at her, ‘If you’re going to play, you make a pony, you know that.’
‘Okay,’ she agrees reluctantly taking over the mirror.
I move away to see my son dashing down with his shirt half tucked in, hair askew, collar standing.
I make a grab for him, ‘You can’t go down like that. Take two minutes to stand before the mirror and look at yourself.’
‘Excuse me,’ he says to the daughter with mock sweetness, squeezing in beside her, trying to smooth down his hair with one hand while stuffing his shirt into his jeans with the other then dodges me and runs away, collar still standing.
She then takes over the mirror. I watch her tying a neat little pony, meticulously tucking her hair in before skipping off. A sigh and a smile and I get on with my day.
When I look in the mirror, I see…
a cushion flying right at me. I duck and it crashes into its reflection. H tries to look contrite while N chortles, ‘Bad aim!!’ And I turn pretending to be angry only to pick up the offending cushion and join in the fight. I see the look of surprise on the twins’ faces turn to delight as I thump each of them in turn. I win hands down till they decided to team up and have me down in a moment. Finally we all dissolve into laughter and collapse onto the bed in a happy heap.
When I look in the mirror, I see ….
Deep laugh lines, crows feet by the eyes.
A head of brown hair with some silver surprise.
A few frown lines up there on the forehead
For worries are part of a life well lead.
What I really see is a contented me
a contented me smiling right back at me.
But she has a complaint, or is it a plea?
She’d like to perhaps, see a little more of me.
Yes, I assure her, just a few years more
And then I’ll have time, time galore
For now let me be, for a few years let go,
I can’t stop now lest I miss the kids grow.
Once they’ve grown and have learnt to fly
That’s when we’ll talk, we’ll talk – you and I
But until that happens I have little time for you
a glimpse or two will just have to do.
***********
I love the beginning, the ending and everything in between! Great poem! I believe you get more than just a glimpse or two, for aren't H and N a part of you? 🙂
Aw thanks Anitha. And you're right – they are a large part of me.
That is life and glad you are enjoying it…if happiness keeps you occupied, nothing better than that!
Right Alok. That's the best way to keep busy.
I have some silver surprise in my head of dark brown hair myself! I like to call it silver surprise.
Often when I look in the mirror, I see a cat on my shoulder, or two kids messing with my back!
Two kids and a cat! That must be a handful. But what's life without some excitement?
How beautiful is That Tulika !!!!!
it fills up with a warmth n realization to soak it all till we get it .
Loved the poem and re-read it many times .. loving it more every time.
Thanks a lot J. It's good to hear words of appreciation from some special people, so thanks again. I'm sure you have many many similar moments with your two too :-).
I was right with you with my little ones and looking in the mirror. It's so hard to see ourselves when we're engrossed in their day to day, then we wake up and see us, in all of our glory. Beautiful poem.
Thank you April.
Awww, I loved this! It's so sweet. Your love for your little ones shines through your words. I really enjoyed the way you looked in the mirror and saw the reflections of what really matters rather than focusing on the "crows feet" and "frown lines."
That's the only path to happiness, isn't it? We can either let the sad things get us down or enjoy what we have now.
Hi Tulika: a great way to paint pictures with words and have your twins come alive for us before our eyes. You see so much joy when you look into the mirror; how wonderful is that!
Thanks Anna. In perspective the chaos is not so bad.
So so beautiful! I love how neatly you wove in H and N into the reflections, real and otherwise. And what is life without some greys and crow's feet? Ah, I love you, my friend.
Thanks always Shailaja. Its best to make friends with all aspects of us – crows feet, wrinkles and all. I might even get around to accepting the old enemy 'fat' someday, who knows ;-).
Oh Tulika my friend what a delightful read! I so enjoyed it – and can so relate ! Even though my kids are grown up now – and he mirror and I can suddenly spend some quality time together again. hahahahah . Not. The best mirror are the kids themselves, I feel:-) Thats life. Loved this post:-) Hugs
That's true Eli – the kids do mirror us and a lot of what we stand for reflects in them.
What a beautiful poem, Tulika – I love that the mirror in your house is filled with family, with mischief, with love, and not just with silent contemplation. There will be time for that, but you're living in the now, and I think that's marvellous. Thank you for sharing a glimpse.
I have to admit there are days when I could do with some silent contemplation but I do realise I'll miss the hullabaloo when its not there. I keep trying to remind myself that.
"Can I please leave my hair open?" I love that. And your poem. Such a great reminder that life is happening all around us and to join in. Thank you for linking up with Finish the Sentence!
Ah yes 'how to do my hair' is a regular argument between the two of us. I enjoyed linking up Kristi. Thanks for dropping by.
Oh this was so fun to read! My favorite part is the end…
"Once they’ve grown and have learnt to fly
That’s when we’ll talk, we’ll talk – you and I
But until that happens I have little time for you
a glimpse or two will just have to do."
LOVE that. 🙂
Thank you Chris.
I like the line, "I'm too busy to look in the mirror." Instead we should be enjoying what is going on behind us instead of worrying about what is in front of us.
Absolutely right Kenya. We should enjoy each moment as it comes.
You painted such a vivid picture, Tulika..I could see you and the kids and even the cushion..Like someone pointed out before me, I didn't want this post to end..As for me, I see a woman with disheveled hair in the mirror and M moving her legs behind her 🙂
Ha ha Naba – the first year is perhaps the toughest. It does get better, I can tell you that. You take care of yourself along with the little one.
I just imagined you and kids doing all that in my head- like a movie! Enjoyed reading this post, Tulika! 🙂
Ha ha Shilpa – These are regular scenes at home. Thanks for reading.
The last lines are beautiful. Yes right now I do not have time but there will be ample someday when we can have serious reflections together – the mirror and me. I loved loved this post. Writing 2 times loved is not a mistake but the superlative degree.
Thank you Anamika the kids are growing too fast. There'll be time for other things later.
What a wonderful, delightful take on the prompt! A mother's life in its profound simplicity and beauty.
Yes Beloo, in perspective it's the simple moments that stay on in our memories.
Loved the post and the poem at the end, Tulika! So wonderfully put!
Thank you Uma.
Most beautiful, Tulika! Delightful read! Yes, no time for the mirror sometimes. You stay blessed now, do you hear?
I will, thanks Vidya :-). The mirror can wait.
Oh my God! Tulika, i simply LOVED this post and didn't want it to end! You should have added a few more lines, or pages, perhaps. I would have lapped it up all…it was really sweet peaking into your little world, with the two apples of your eyes! What fun moments you must share with your darlings! Bless you all!
Hey thanks Shilpa. That's the warmest compliment of all.
I love your poem and how true it is. We focus on ourselves so little when we have kids, we just focus our energies outward now.
And I wouldn't have it any other way Julie. Thanks for dropping by.