"In the Mirror I See.."
By Dawn Page

In the mirror I see sun within my warm smile.
I see thunder in my eyes amongst the brightness, indicative of the hurt felt deep within my soul.
I see a honey complexion with chocolate imperfections.
I see freshly exfoliated skin as silky as a puppy's fur.
I see a petite, curvaceous woman who is as tough, sensitive and supple as leather

"In My Mirror I See.."
By Roline Milfort

In my mirror I see
Ocean waves splashing around me as I hold onto
My father and laugh with my little brother who is
On the other side

In my mirror I see
My father's proud smile when I share the
The perfect report card

In my mirror I see
My own fears and shame
When I must confess the unspoken truths

In my mirror I see
The wind blowing as
Time passes and I seem to stand still because
I am afraid to make another mistake

In my mirror I see
Despair as my father looks to me
For the way out, through, or around

In my mirror I see
Fried chicken reminding me of being
With my family on a happy day

In my mirror I see
Raindrops that fall like my
Tears of confusion and regret

In my mirror I see
Us sitting on the trunk of the car looking at the clouds
As the damp night air comforts me

In my mirror I see
A battle
Between regret and optimism
Between hanging onto to fear and letting it out the back door
Between being guarded and loving passionately
Between intimacy and solitude

In my mirror I will see
What's winning the battles?

"Who's In My Mirror?"
By Nicole Richmond

In my mirror I see a beautiful, caramel, black woman. I see "Nichole", which means over comer. I see a woman who is living a purpose-filled life arranged by her Creator.

I see the moon, sun, and stars all in the horizon. I see a woman who is committed to living God's will every day of her life. I see a woman who is destined to do a great work in this thing called life.

I see a woman with hair blowing through the wind as she savors the taste of bittersweet chocolate morsels.

I see a woman who has lived in and out of many love relationships. I see a woman who has been
committed to those whom she loves; even when it's to her detriment. I see a woman who has given all she can give and still desires to give more.

I see a woman who has forgiven herself and others for the pains and mistakes of the past. I see a woman who has let go of unhealthy thoughts, ideas, and energy just like the dawn of a new day. I see freedom, oh sweet freedom.

I see her mother, father, grandmother, grandfather and generations past. I see the legacy that has been past on just like watching one ocean wave move to the next. I see it! Yes, I do.

I see a woman who is dancing through life with each new day. I see a woman who is going from here to there, popping in the air, just like watching the process of making buttered flavored popcorn in an old fashion hot air popper.

I see a broken vessel that is beautifully restored by God. The vessel is full of fresh flowers bathed in the sweet aroma of mangos. Oh my!

I see a woman who has soft beautiful brown skin with blemishes and flaws of imperfections. Yes, she has been dipped in the sea of red and orange fire flames, and is even better as a result of the experience. I see a woman whose skin is tough. And yes, it smells like newly purchase leather.

I see a woman full of jazz. Each moment of her life has been a musical note beautifully arranged, and orchestrated by a musical mastermind. I see a woman who is waiting her moment in time to soar high above the clouds.

I see a woman who is committed to fulfilling her God-given purpose. I see a woman who is helping others tap into their potential. I see a woman who is watching transformation in her life and the lives of others. Oh, what a blessing! It just like tasting sweet honey and feeling rain drops on a hot sunny day.

I see a woman who is inventing new possibilities for herself and each person that she encounters along her journey. It's not always easy, but oh it is so worth the effort. It is just like watching a kite fly high and low in the sky.

I see a woman who is creating an environment where she can exhale and others can
breathe . . . I see me. I truly see me!

"Untitled:"
By Bikim Brown

Can't identify this feeling
at the bottom of my heart
Maybe it's what keeps my soul and heart apart
I have no clue what the hell I wanna say
Whether I should give into the flesh or the heart
it's all gray and white at once
How the hell am I gonna get outta this place
My heart searches for affection
but yet it still starves
So as I sit here and let my heart recite these lines
I ask you: what the hell is all this for?