Child Reflections
How do I learn just who I am?
I learn from you who I am.
Within your eyes I see reflected me.
Within your voice I hear how you see me.
You are the mirror that I look into
and mold the image of myself.
I sense the way you hold me
and from your touch
I feel my form, my shape.

And if I like what I see
in your eyes, your voice, your touch;
my heart responds and reaches out.
Then, in its reaching, grows and grows
until I see myself as separate.
That self, in turn, can love you back
because you taught me who I am
and I am loved.
Ruth Reardon