Through the Looking Glass

Thanks to poetry 

I’ve looked through the eyes of many

My mother

My father

My lovers

My sexual predator

My dogs

My friends 

My foes

And all of them have changed me for the better

When looking through my mothers eyes all I see is hope and love

Feelings that her daughter has carved out the biggest pumpkin of the bunch and is going to win that jack o lantern contest

This shows me that I should always be looking for the good in life and radiate positivity rather than pain

My fathers’ eyes are those of determination 

He sees a child that has fought her way to the top and is still climbing 

This teaches me to always push myself to be the best me I can be, strive for the best, and not to settle on what’s just comfortable 

My lovers

The very few

 look at me with awe

At how someone so young could make such great strides after listening to her deep scars

It reminds me that on my bad days things will get better

Now here’s the tough one

It’s hard to say that I’ve learned from something so horrible, but I have

What I see in the eyes of my sexual predator is that I’m his prey

When I’m near him I feel malaise in my bones

But after years of thinking it over, he’s taught me to be careful in all aspects of life and not to trust everyone that crosses my path

He’s also taught me that no matter what, I’m stronger than I think I am

What I see through the eyes of my dogs when they need comfort during a thunderstorm is admiration 

I’ve learned from them that there is always someone who needs help and I’m going to make it my life’s mission to be that person

My friends eyes see my goofy and flamboyant side

This has taught me that when I think I’m a burden on people around me, I can sometimes be their light around the bend

And finally my foes

I try not to make too many enemy’s and I tend to give people second and third chances but there are some truly horrible people out there

They see me as a victim

But I’ve learned through all of these people and experiences throughout my life that that is one thing I’m not

I’m brave

I’m strong

And I’m alive

And that’s all that matters