Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Girl Sitting in the Sun


Who is this young woman
sitting in the light,
her dark tresses, thick,
 her lips, shiny, and bright?  
I sense I've seen her
 somewhere before.
I feel our paths crossed
a long time ago,
to faraway lands 
and half-opened doors.
Yet eerily, I still hold
 her close  to my heart.


Her eyes, 
painted and pencilled
in rich smoky hues,
are drawn with precision
to  intrigue and amuse
the vibrant youth of her being -
 she lives for the moment!
  Her future is foreign,
faraway, unforeseen.


Still,
there's something about her
that's strangely familiar!
  If I could just hear her voice,
it would all be much clearer.
And, after listening very closely
to what we would say,
I'd take our advice,
and meet her today.
Just the two of us,
here, in the mirror.


In hindsight, what perception would you pass on
to the girl in your mirror, looking into your eyes?


Thanks for visiting.
Have a wonderful weekend! 

62 comments:

  1. I have a post in my draft file so similar to this it's scary lol -
    LOVED yours Poppy - what a beautiful photo!
    XOX

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  2. How old were you in the photo?

    I read Suzan's comment, but I won't be posting any photos from my youth. I don't even like to post those of my senior years.

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    1. Hi Carol,

      This was taken at the start of my second year of university, so I was 19 years old. Hoops and mini skirts were back and the 60s fashions were rock and rolling once again!

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  3. You are just as adorable today as back then. Time sure flies, does it not? (Much too fast, for sure!)

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    1. Hi Michele,

      Yes, time sure does fly, and fast, scary supersonic fast, and NEVER lands, to refuel, or rest its weary wings, but continues to infinity, and somewhere, loses us along the way!

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  4. Hi Poppy,
    What a cute photo! Sometimes I too look into the mirror and wonder where that young girl went. One thing I know to be true is I'm a lot happier now than I was back then. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. Great post -- as always -- Poppy. And I love the photo at the top of the blog! What is the village you are near (is it the one in this photo?)

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    1. Hi Jackie,

      Thanks! The village in this photo is just across the valley, and the view from our home

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  6. So pretty and I don't think you've changed a bit! Wouldn't it be lovely to go back, just for a moment? I would tell my younger self that she was stronger than she knows and give her some of the confidence I have gained with age. In return I would take some of her spontaneity and her tighter skin! ;)

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    1. Hi Kim,

      Thank you. It would be lovely to go back, but for me, MORE than a moment! How I miss that spontaneity you mentioned. But you know what? I think the older I get, the LESS confidence I have about certain things, living in such a world where youth rules so much, most of it sadly superficial, no doubt.

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  7. You are both darling and beautiful! I think you both could learn a lot from each other!

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  8. Beautiful girl, then and now, a woman. Isn't it amazing how the years change us? And yet we are so much the same - I know I don't feel much older than I did when I was in my 20s. Time is a funny thing.

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    1. Hi Lorrie,

      Thank you. You are so right: we change with each passing year, but deep down, inside, we are fundamentally the same person, one that has evolved over time, having experienced life's many happy moments, as well as hurdles that may have hurt. Most days I feel 30ish, while on others, even older than my chronological 49! Yes, time can be a funny thing...but not always amusing!

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  9. I love this post, Poppy. I've often thought along similar lines about my own younger self. You were a lovely young woman.

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  10. You are stunning now and then. I think we all look into the mirror and wonder where did time go and where did I go. Great post.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Mary

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  11. What would you tell her? I often ask myself what would you say to your younger you? Quite frankly I know what I say to her won't make a difference, yet what she will say to me will! Look into her eyes and reacquaint yourselves!

    Beautiful lady, beautiful young lady, beautiful post!
    XO
    Marisa

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    1. Marisa!

      Thank you, sweetie! You are absolutely right: even if I had proof of the mistakes in her future, she would probably dismiss it and do her own thing! I wonder, is this the mulish Mediterranean in me?;-D

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  12. The girl sitting in the sun is brimming with whimsy and intrigue...oh I wonder what she is thinking??
    How old were you beautiful Poppy?
    btw...soon I WILL be sitting in the sunny south!!!

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    1. Hi Lucy,

      Back then her whimsy probably translated as a little 'wacky', and her intrigue, a challenge, to those less curious and interested in life's wonders! I was 19, second year at U of T, St. George Campus, a little hamlet of Victorian beauties for classrooms!

      Lucky you! Enjoy the rays, even though I know you have no ill feelings towards our Canadian winters!:-D

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  13. Beautiful you that who sits in the sun!!

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  14. Poppy
    I wouldn't say you've aged much!
    There is so...much we could say to that younger woman.

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  15. Awww Poppy....so lovely!

    xo Kris

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  16. How touching Poppy! Sometimes I feel that you say things that I think and feel and it seems that you are so close, so familiar to me...Our youth, our first smiles and hopes and then our reality, the present...but no reason to complain, you still look like that beautiful girl sitting in the sun, you have her energie and her heart and evrything she was dreaming about...Oh, my English doesn't show me an easy way to express myself but I think you understand me...
    Warm and kind thoughts to you!
    Olympia

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  17. Gosh , the younger you is gorgeous. If I could talk to the younger me all Id say is stop a little and enjoy the view whatever the view may be .I think you are still beautiful

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  18. What a great poem and a great photo!AriadnefromGreece!

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  19. That was very sweet - and the picture such a good accompaniment.
    I don't feel any older than I did 25 years ago - wiser, certainly, and sometimes the mirror image comes as a shock. By and large, though, if I could talk to the girl behind my mirror-image, I'd tell her to just 'enjoy the journey'.

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  20. Poppy, A beautiful pic and a beautiful post. I'd say you've aged like wine.
    Many Blessings

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  21. What a beautiful photo of a younger 'you'!! I have been looking in the mirror more lately as I was trying new glasses frames and then bought them yesterday so I find myself still looking to see if I like them. I still feel like I'm 20 something in my mind but the mirror tells another story 40 years in the making. How the years and decades have gone by! A lovely post. Hugs, Pamela

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  22. Is this, a younger you?

    I have not looked at the comments, before leaving this.

    Now I will, and my question will probably be answered.

    Whoever she is, she is lovely.

    Tessa~

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  23. Hi Poppy, wow how beautiful is the picture of you! I hope you are well and I have been so busy and sorry for not visiting sooner. Wishing you a wonderful weekend friend.
    Julie

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  24. How old is that picture, you don't look any different, still as pretty as ever !
    Ok, I scrolled back up to the other comments, so you were 19, you still don't look any different !!

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  25. Hello, beautiful girl! What WOULD you tell your younger self today? :-)

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    1. Hello to you, too, pretty lady!

      Well, a number of things. First off, 'don't give up on your dreams so soon'. I started writing, acting and directing little plays in primary school, which my sweet teachers always encouraged, and this of course gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams when auditioning for drama school in university. Another piece of advice would be, 'think more realistically about your future, the logistics of it'. I am a true Pisces, and we are known to be, shall we say, romantics, not only about matters of the heart, but about life in general. Today, and in hindsight, I don't think I would have moved to another province, let alone, another continent, if that meant being so far away from my family. And the list goes on...How about you?!

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  26. What a sensational post - great idea. SO good to be in touch! Fx

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  27. I gained my burst of confidence when I was about 21 and felt like I could do anything. I'm reminded of the lines of a song (many years ago) "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now" ... which really makes sense to me. I felt so wise & mature then ... now the confidence level has slipped and I feel like my kids are taking over that role as I did with my own parents. Then I wanted to move far from everyone and start my life in a fresh new place, but as I get older, I don't want my kids to move (too far) away from me when that time comes. That is a great photo of you Poppy, and I'm wondering who you were looking at when they took your picture. Wendy x

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  28. I'll have to think about what I would tell my younger self and then see whether the advice is something still applicable today. The photo of you is lovely, Poppy.

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  29. Lovely post. I think if I were that beautiful person I'd be pretty satisfied with what I saw in the mirror. Especially since I am quite sure she writes beautifully too!

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  30. well.... first i would tell breathtakingly beautiful girl poppy... you have the beauty and talent to be whatever you want to be... and SING! ... you should still be singing. that voice should be shared.

    and to young tammy... who easily passed muster too as long as she wore the eyeliner! LOLOL...
    i would say... someday you may regret... just a little bit... making the decision to not have children of your own... just because you fell head over heels in love with a man who already had one of his own and didn't want more. i made that decision when i was only 18. i thought i would lose him if i didn't. and i probably would have. but he was worth it. little did i know he would die at the tender age of 43. but... one doesn't regret. one moves on. and one only remembers the beauty and love of the years granted to one with her soul mate! no tears poppy.
    we know life is good regardless of the road we have taken!!! xoxo
    a lovely post.

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  31. Ahhh...you are beautiful my friend, you have not changed a bit. You are one gifted lady, your sweet personality is infectious and your talent radiates.

    Have a lovely weekend Poppy.

    Hugs from me

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  32. Beautiful photo of you Poppy, but you are a beautiful woman now as well. You are full of sugar, spice and everything nice-not to mention talented, inspirational, articulate, creative, and a joy to know!
    I would tell myself this one thing-never leave the place you grew up. I was born on a beautiful agriculture farm near the Rocky Mountains. I have always missed it!
    xoxox-
    Jemma

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  33. You were/are beautiful! You don't look like you have changed much in your sidebar photo. I loved this post, Poppy. There is is much to think about here. I would definitely tell myself to be have more confidence, and not to compare myself to everyone else. I sometimes still need to tell my current self the same things!

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  34. Lovely Poppy! The mirror is your friend for sure...so pretty!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  35. Oh Poppy... I'm so glad I didn't miss this. You were and ARE beautiful inside and out:) this is a lovely refelectiive post.

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  36. I wish I saw this young woman when I look in the mirror :)

    Lovely read :)

    Ally

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  37. What a heartwarming post! Poppy, you were beautiful and full of life right before your own eyes! You are living the life and I'm sure you could tell her a few things about it! I would tell her to life life to it's fullest each minute!

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  38. Αγαπημένη μου...όσο ο χρόνος περνά και η ωριμότητα και εμπειρία της ζωής αφίνει τα σημάδια απάνω μας,ένα πράγμα παραμένει αναλλοίωτο στο πέρασμα του!Η λάμψη στα μάτια και η καθαρότητα της ψυχής.Να είσαι σίγουρη πώς αυτό σε ακολουθεί όπως και τότε !!Η ίδια λάμψη στα μάτια και η ίδια καθαρή ψυχή !!!!!!

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  39. Love this picture of your and such a fun post. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  40. This is such a beautiful post, Poppy! You were lovely at nineteen and still lovely today!

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  41. Ahhhhh...what would i say to my younger self? So very much indeed! I would say 'go ahead and have a plan for your life if you must, but remember plans are formulated to give God a chuckle now and then.' I would say 'pursue your dreams with passion. If the passion isn't there, it's not a dream worth pursuing'.

    You haven't changed Poppy, just more lovely than ever!

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  42. This is marvelous! It would be so nice to sit next to our younger self to share insights. Gorgeous photo and post! I am honored that you shared at Home and Garden Thursday!
    Kathy

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  43. Such a cute girl! Great idea for a post.
    Sherry

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  44. Ο χρόνος που περνά φέρνει μαζί του ωριμότητα και σοφία.Αυτές οι ιδιότητες δίνουν σε όλους μια ξεχωριστή ομορφιά που αντισταθμίζει τη δροσιά της πρώτης νιότης.Να είσαι πάντα γερή και όμορφη!

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  45. Wow Poppy, this is a very lovely post. It's very sweet and sad (somehow). I have to say, I am much happier at 53 than when I was younger. I am more certain now as to what is important to me and I don't feel the pressure to do what is expected of me. I also think wisdom comes with age so it's much easier for me to make decisions now too. What I would say to my younger self (which I say to my children, one of whom is 23) is to live your life to its fullest, savior life one day at a time; always try your best so there will be no regrets; it's ok to make mistakes but remember to learn from those mistakes; carefully consider your options and take chances; know that your family is always behind you.

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  46. I LOVE this! I would not even recognize myself at 19! Very creative and you haven't changed a bit.....still beautiful!

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  47. Love, love, LOVE this, Poppy! What a beautiful and creative way of writing, my friend. You are so beautiful - inside and out. Hugs to you!

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  48. What a lovely and thought-provoking post. I wonder if my younger self would listen? She (and I) have always wanted to do it our own way, haha! You were/are beautiful Poppy.

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  49. I love this post! I see pictures of my younger self and wonder who that girl is!! I think I am the same but really the main difference is my perspective on life and getting older. There is nothing to do about it so enjoy it!

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  50. very cool writing, now that I am in my 50's I think of all I would say to my younger self, but I think after all I would tell her to just enjoy the journey

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  51. What some great words! Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!