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Mesmerizing: Mirrors and Malls and Morals
The rush of warm air as
the sliding doors glide open.
Familiar smells,
and unfamiliar faces
Endless doors,
transformative entrances to stores.
It’s a whole world,
a microcosm for consumerism,
but I feel at home.
Disgust swells up inside of me.
This life is so frivolous.
Filling shopping bags
with broken dreams,
deep regrets,
and bitter disappointments.
Buying items I will never need,
but their absence forever haunts me.
I wish I didn’t smile when someone tells me I’m pretty.
I should just know.
Or at least not care.
Who am I to be selfish?
What have I done to enjoy luxury?
Yet at the same time -
that dress is irresistible.
The mannequin is effortlessly thin and elegant.
Maybe I’ll just try it on.
Stolen glances in the mirror warp reality.
I am 6 ft. tall with long ringlets of hair
draping down my back.
Strong and independent,
surrounded by people,
or love.
Sometimes, I get them confused.
How unfair that she is plastic and beautiful,
and all I am is human.
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This piece is about confronting my own privilege and materialistic tendencies. Sometimes I struggle with appreciating my fortunate circumstances and expressing gratitude for everything I have. I also find myself getting swept up in social media and the perfect image of a woman. This poem is an internal reflection on these issues.