Cards Against Authors

Week 1 - Broken Reflections

Prompt ▼

Prompt Card: You’re afraid of your future self.

Wild Card: Metaphor: Emotional growth as a fragile seed.

Notes ▼

This is essentially my memoir "My Girdle Is Killing Me!"  reduced to the highlights. (Or should that be lowlights?)

I occasionally try free verse, just to reaffirm to myself that (a) I don't get it and (b) I can't do it.

Boy
I turn away, repulsed, from my reflection;
school uniform over women's shapewear, hiding a young boy's shame.
Embarrassed, I walk awkwardly to class;
dreading ridicule from those who know, fearing discovery by those who don't.
I know my future self will overcome;
though planted in barren soil, this seed will flourish.

Youth
I stare, dismayed, at my reflection;
jeans and sweatshirt over girdle and bra, straps and garters showing through.
Self-loathing, I slouch my way to lectures;
damaged by abnormal adolescence, unable to break free.
I pray my future self recovers;
this struggling shoot must one day flower.

Man
I gaze, dead-eyed, at my reflection;
workwear over foundation garments, camouflaging female corsetry.
Emotionless, I walk briskly to work;
accepting of my lot in life, embracing my defeat.
I am now the future self I feared;
the wounds run too deep, the fruit has withered on the vine.


Form: free verse
Stanzas: 3
Lines: 18 + 3 sub-headers