This is going to be a bit of a story; first I will say this poem (a part 2 of 2; the first part can be found HERE) was inspired by  Jill is AWOL's (formally Redband Jackalope or Jill Jackalope) artwork, 'Residual self-image'. It is one of my favorite works of art that she produced (which is saying something as she has hundreds of pieces and they are all just amazing).

To say the artwork hit me in a very personal way would be an understatement. I have seen first hand a loved one slowly die inside from looking at herself in disgust and looking at a mirror and wanting to break the glass. Meanwhile I, myself, (a moment of being vulnerable, if I may) can not look at mirrors and spent years never being able to see myself (only recently even starting to become 'me'). There are a lot of reasons people go through this but the results are always the same, a form of self-hatred that threatens to destroy the soul.

In my case, I saw this picture and realize that I have been on both sides of this; the side begging the other to see how 'I' see them, as a beautiful and wonderful person, and being the one was was being begged to do the same damn thing.

Because of this, the work inspired two poems, from two POVs.

Now, I wrote these some time ago, so why only now am I putting them up? Because the art was very personal and I decided that it would not be right for me to just take someone's personal work, make a derivative work from it, and just show it off. I wanted to have Jill's blessing. For some time now, only Jill and a close personal friend (who I will leave anonymous unless told otherwise) of hers were the only two people to view the work.

Yesterday I heard from Jill; and her words very flattering and she made it clear that she not only was touched, flattered and enjoyed my work very much (which was simply a wonderful compliment and I truly am grateful for her words), but she was happy to let me share the work I did inspired by hers. So, that is what this is. I am grateful she has allowed me to share what is such a personal pair of poems to me. I can never thank her enough. I am very grateful to Miss Jill Jackelope.

Now, this poem was very interesting because as I wrote it out, and felt the rhythm and meter, I quickly realized that this was a song. I had written lyrics (with no music, though I have a tune in my head, I just do not have the skill set to write it). Now, in another lifetime, long ago, I have written song lyric before, it is a skill I have (though not as developed as my poetry or fiction writing), even if I do not do it often. So I hope that this will be appreciated.

Part Two will uploaded in a day or two; and of course, this is the 'Original' version of this poem so you can see what the poem actually should look like.

I hope you will take something from my work, thank you all.

Talia~~