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2024 Writing Contest Winner: "The Man in the Mirror" by Joshua Wangia




you count yourself out

just to fit yourself in

you never felt comfortable inside your skin

all that you want

not to do this again

see devils lurking around the bend


you’re wishing for freedom

it’s tied to the time

and tied to the tides

just make a dollar and tithe a dime

wish that your father could find inside

or even try to cry or choose your side


it’s harder to fake when the man in the mirror

can see when you’re blurry or clear or

if all of the clouds have gone over the (moon)

you have chosen to prove:

that you feel how you say you do

that people have to make a way for you

or if all of the prophecies prayed are true

you ain’t got _ but have the world to lose


you’re begging for chance to just cut you a break

you’re praying jehovah has made a mistake

you front like just this once

you won’t confront yourself and cause your earth to quake


to the nearest hearer,

the man in the mirror,

the portrait austere-er,

can you hear me now?

the brother held dearer,

the closest to peer,

the feelings i speared,

can you steer me out?

can you hear me out?

can you squeeze and leave some room for doubt?


you judge yourself more when love ain’t assured;

you’re scrambling walls so you feel secure

statues you built of letters allure

the strangers who think that your image is pure


you search for a cure

you search for a reason

to relieve some of the pressure you’re feeling 

or pressurize bullets of notes of completion

the phrases unfinished could fill up an-


you always knew silence speaks louder than words

filling up silence you spread like a scourge

felt like a bother you have to learn

no matter your eloquence, backs will turn

they see magic and wish to burn

a voice unique a voice unheard

shown an angel seen a bird


you see yourself

above the clouds

the treble clef

you’re meant to rise

there’s nothing left

to hold inside

the mirror self

is bonafide


to: the man in the mirror

the man in the mirror

you can see me, know my vision is clearer

i know when you’re with me you’re less concrete;

it’s only near me you feel safe to weep.

if i wasn’t glass molded just like  your skin

i’d show you my wisdom you’d know from within

and you’d never count yourself out to be in 

and you would feel comfortable inside your skin

even though i’m an image, we still are twins

(we still are twins)

(we still are twins)

even though i’m an image, we still are twins

the man in the mirror can see your sins


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