Peculiar Reflections

• Dana Stolp, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2013

A monster stares back from the still water
A shambling mess held together with weak mortar
It gives a knowing stare and giggles with glee
What is this thing? Not me, not me

I ask it its name, and get no reply
Why won’t it answer? Is it scared? Is it shy?
It just stares lonely back at me
Its eyes asking, why me? Why me?

I ask again, curious to know
The identity of this creature with spirits so low
It looks at me and then draws near
And says ‘I won’t tell you, you won’t want to hear’

I anger, and yell, volume high
It cowers away and starts to cry
I splash the water, in spite of its pleas
And see the monster is me, is me