By Adegoke Rahmah

In front of the mirror I stood,
and I saw a reflection of myself,
the true version of myself.
Nothing was left out,
not even my flaws,
not even my defects,
they were shown to me without mercy.
The mirror never minded how I felt
for revealing my reality
without hiding anything.

I looked at the reality of myself
and wept so bitterly
for I was shown my true image.
My faults were exposed,
My flaws were naked,
with nothing to conceal them.
Reality dawned on me,
my faults were many,
I felt so ashamed,
that I swore to make a change.

In front of the camera I stood,
and I saw a reflection of myself—
but something in it was missing,
my true image was missing,
my reality was hidden, enclosed in so much deceit
filters upon filters, editing upon editing.
It cleared all my faults and flaws,
picturing me the way I wish to be,
and not the way I truly am.

I smiled at my fake image
with a sense of accomplishment,
for my faults were hidden
and my flaws had been concealed
I showed myself to the world
and they were all deceived
by my fake image.
I was so happy
I felt so accomplished
but little did I know,
my faults were never gone
they were with me
clinging to my soul,
rotting within me every day
until one day,

they shall burst out
and land me in a great misery!

I cherish the mirror
and detest the camera
for I gain self-awareness
from the former,
and I gain low self-esteem
from the latter.

Oh friend of mine,
I beg of you,
Cherish the mirror
and detest the camera
for success lies, awaiting one
who faces reality and shuns deceit
and these two can never co-exist
one has to stay,
one has to leave.