Hyde Reflection
I am the looking glass
You search me
For the things you lack
How far will you bend me before I break
Every time I look in you i ache
She’s
Looking back at me
Falling to her knees in disbelief
Her body like a bridge
Society Trampled onto
After the abuse
She carries guilt in her gut
Shame
Having Butterflies is romanticised
But when the dust fall
all she sees is comparison
In fractured mirrors
Fuses the pieces with gold
Then dips into the blues
Dolls herself up
With her moods
Inside she’s dull
As she gazed at me
Negotiating vain reflection
She says
“Tomorrow I will change.”
“If only I can stop
Drowning my sorrows”
But tomorrow is the same
Day as today
Her bed is her sanctuary
So She dives into it
And stays
At night she’s weary so she wears black
Stirring cauldron
On full moons
Bleeding anger tipped over into the dark hole beneath her bridge
She’s like the Winter session that never leaves
And her depression stems from trees that have no leaves
What happens
When you hear her reasons
ask her how she truly feeling
Compel her to reflect
Reach
An epiphany
She Marks her skin
With the remarkable things
In Ink
That make her extraordinary
So she takes a needle
Paint in me
Hoping to find peace
I am the looking glass
Wishing you see
What I see
Looking back at me
According to Enas, this poem explores self-image and how women see themselves in the mirrors when they are insecure. The narrator of the poem is her reflection, empathising through understanding and empowering herself. Enas likes to think of the reflections as the women around you, who reflect your beauty that shine from within, and in a way you reflect that light back into them.
Enas Saeed is a poet, spoken word artist and disability advocate. She joined Leeds Young Authors as a teen after taking part in a school poetry slam, and is now the only female restaurant poet for The Sunday Practise. Her poetry and short stories delve into themes such as cultural and religious identity, as well as self-image.
Enas has previously collaborated with Studio 12 Leeds Library, on writing project manifestos in verse, voice box and borderline. Her work was commissioned by Touchstone Theatre, BBC Radio Leeds, Migration Matters festival and British Library archives. Her short film 'Black. British. Muslim. Other.' premiered in March 2022 on BBC Four, as part of an anthology showcasing emerging female storytellers. It is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer, in the New Creatives collection on BBC Arts. Her Instagram handle is @official_enas.