In the bathroom, look in the mirror
and see my reflection. In my mind,
I see a child aged eight who spends
all day looking for the Four-Leaf clover
and blowing the biggest bubble possible.
 
In a flash, the light changes,
and you look into the magic mirror,
see a young adult twenty-eight years old.
I ask the mirror if I will have a happy life.
The mirror says “Yes, Rochelle”.
I am grown up, will I find a job?  I often see
glimpses of my eight-year-old self in the
reflection, and remember those times with pride.
 
Another moment, now the mirror is cracked.
I see a changed person struggling, unhappy,
and troubled.  Much sadness and misfortune
visible in the distorted image. 
 
At the end, I look in the mirror
shattered into many pieces.
I see the lines in my face that
show all the troubled times,
the sorrow.  Can I continue my life,
or am I ready to let it all go?

A fairytale with three wishes,
enchanting fables of dragons, elves, witches.
My story contrasts, recovering from
weakness, aphasia, and a damaged brain.
 
My first wish would be strength returned. 
The magic wand waved,
made me tremble with excitement.
But instead blurted out “I want disability.”
So, my right side was still hobbled,
but at least I could park in handicapped spaces.
 
My second wish was to cure my trouble speaking.
But instead, because of aphasia babbled “I want lasagna.”
So, I still could not talk,
but at least I could eat some steamy pasta with gooey cheese.
 
My third wish was to make by brain perfect.  
But instead, jabbered “I want my brain frozen.”  
The fairy gave me an icy slushie to drink.  
So, I had a headache on a hot day, my brain fizzled,
but at least I was refreshed.
 
My three wishes failed,
so, it is back to the beginning.
Weakness, aphasia, and a damaged brain.