Do you see me?
Not the aging body,
nor the weathered face;
that my mirror contorts,
making me feel so out of place.
Can you see her?
The girl that once was,
so vibrant, and so very young;
she’s still there within,
her final song has not been sung.
Can you hear her?
When I speak and laugh out loud,
the sing-song of her voice;
she is in my head always,
she laughs and does rejoice.
I can’t see myself.
My body does betray me,
when I look with aging eyes;
she hasn’t aged a day inside,
this must be a disguise.
I can’t see her,
No matter how hard I try,
yet, I know for sure she’s there;
she wants to run and play,
and live without a care.
I can hear her, though,
Speaking loudly and so clear,
she’s the voice inside my head,
letting me know I haven’t lost myself,
and the young girl isn’t dead.
She is who I am,
Interwoven in my genes,
she’s not the girl of ages past;
she’s the girl that lives today,
she’s the first, and she’s the last.
So when you look at me,
and see the withered face;
or see the failing body,
that no longer moves with grace.
Just know the girl is there,
and inside I’m still so very young;
I haven’t aged a day within,
and my final song has not been sung.
Don’t look on me with pity,
nor merely pass me by;
for I am young within,
I love, I laugh, I cry.
If you think I’m lying,
watch, my friend, as you grow old;
hear your own voice within,
and you’ll know the truth I’ve told.
© Leslie C Dobson
If you liked this poem, you can find additional ones on the poetry page of Leslie’s website.