Mirror Mirror

A poem by Achuthan Panikath

Tue Mar 31 2026

“Mirror mirror, on the wall,
Remind me of the level I’m now tall!”
The spell took me to a place afar,
And lay me sprawled, in a dream bizarre.
I was back to two, when I first took a step,
To stand with pride, set to overstep
and fall again as my parents looked on,
with faith in me to rise from whence I was born.
Innocent and foolish, I started to learn,
Foolish and hungry I continue to discern,
The right from the wrong, black from the white,
Knowing full well, only grey awaits my sight.
The scene shifted, to show me my teacher,
Staring at me, with hope of love richer.
I was in first then, too young to know
That books seldom gave one seeds to sow.
With a swirl, it was gone, in seventh I now sat,
Blushing when girls came and gave me a pat.
Outside I played rough, as though I did detest,
that pat, which until now, I knew not was trust’s.
Curiosity drove me down to learn and know,
Of freedom, to which a patriot I now bow.
Trust and truth are my god and guide,
As I walk with my trusted friends beside.
The next storm threw me down that valley,
Of failures I had lived for all that felony.
There I saw, a humbled sight known to few-
All my loved ones, sat waiting, for me anew.
The mirror spat me back to the world today,
And answered my query with finesse, I must say.
I know me now, and how tall I am in mind-
I am as tall as the love of my kind.