Reject

Contemporary / Modern Poetry Human Written by Mirabel Amaechi · Sep 23, 2026

Full of devoid and deject towards Oneself,
One has rid the tradition of observing one’s face
in the same mirror countless times
often and often again; a frequent cycle,
has it come to the point that one
cannot recognize one's face no longer.
A twisted turn,
oh how One cannot familiarize
the individual marks and patterns on One's face any longer

Should one feel a sense of sadness
for this absence of self recognition?
One should think not; and one would dare not contemplate
these past fractures of one as one
would’ve had the mirror
shattered by such a horrid face.

These markings would forever stay permanet
stain one's cheeks and chin,
and might as well ruin one's entire face as well
how disgusting it was
to ever think one would have a single chance
with gaining the one dream with such loose hope
One abhorred it with a heavy heart
miserable to unyielding limits.

Connected together with strings taught and weaved firmly,
would restrain one by the wrists
and bind them over the head
while one cannot struggle any longer
against the hole etched into the heart
,forcing every emotion bottled up inside to finally gush out
perhaps like the cracks of a jar unable to contain
such copious amount of water

But all those tears would render useless in the end
when no one is able to hear that voice anymore
And once the world falls in silence
have it be that a dream was clasped on too recklessly
later falling into a void of endless slumber

How did this poem make you feel?

Community Score

—

out of 10

0 votes

Optional AI-generated literary feedback.

Poem Analysis

This analysis is provided as optional literary feedback. Community voting remains the primary ranking method.

Analysis Available

The poem explores themes of self-identity and despair through the metaphor of a shattered mirror and the inability to recognize oneself. It delves into the emotional turmoil of losing one's sense of self, using vivid imagery and a somber tone. While the poem effectively conveys a sense of melancholy, its structural and linguistic choices could benefit from refinement.

Strengths

The poem employs a strong central metaphor of the mirror to explore self-identity (e.g., 'One has rid the tradition of observing one’s face in the same mirror').
The imagery of 'strings taught and weaved firmly' effectively conveys a sense of entrapment and emotional restraint.
The poem's tone is consistently somber and introspective, which aligns well with its themes of identity and despair.

Areas for Improvement

The language can be repetitive, as seen in 'often and often again; a frequent cycle,' which could be streamlined for clarity.
The poem's structure lacks variation, with long, unbroken lines that could benefit from more deliberate line breaks to enhance rhythm and emphasis.

Imagery

The poem uses visual language effectively, particularly with the metaphor of the mirror and the description of 'markings' on one's face. These images convey a sense of permanence and self-loathing. The metaphor of 'cracks of a jar unable to contain such copious amount of water' vividly illustrates the overwhelming nature of repressed emotions. However, some imagery, like 'strings taught and weaved firmly,' could be more precise to enhance its impact.

Structure

The poem is structured in a free verse format, lacking a consistent meter or rhyme scheme. This choice reflects the chaotic and fragmented nature of the speaker's identity. However, the lack of stanza breaks and the use of long, continuous lines can make the poem feel monotonous. Introducing varied line lengths and stanza breaks could help emphasize key moments and enhance readability.

Language & Craft

The diction is formal and somewhat archaic, with repeated use of 'one' and 'oneself,' which creates a sense of detachment. While this suits the theme of identity loss, it can also distance the reader emotionally. The poem uses some alliteration, such as 'strings taught,' but could benefit from more varied linguistic techniques to enrich the auditory experience.

Emotional Impact

The poem successfully evokes a sense of despair and introspection, inviting the reader to reflect on the nature of self-identity and the pain of losing it. However, the emotional impact is somewhat diluted by the repetitive language and lack of structural variation, which can make the poem feel less dynamic and engaging.