If I were to see myself
as you see me
I would be an ugly thing.
I would be a reflection of words and opinions
all wrong
jumbled together to make a
mismatched, misinformed misanthropist;
blind in both eyes,
closeminded, and
open-mouthed.
There would be no beauty
in my face
no cohesion of form
or semblance of realism.
I would be a cubist photograph
with three ears and
no legs
a thing to be pitied,
for it could never be
whole.
If I were to look at myself
through your eyes
I would be an ugly thing.
I would have no tangible essence, no
humanity or love.
I would be an ice-sculpture
crafted by a child
with no conception of the human form
and you would shatter me
without bothering
to pick up the pieces.
Why do you see
something so horrible?
I am not wretched.
I am not ugly.
Why do you look at me
with such
disgust
in your eyes
(metaphorically speaking)
when I have said nothing, done nothing
that could possibly be construed
as insane.
Perhaps, if you were to look at me
the way I see me
you would find that
the person you are seeing
is yourself.
