Reflective by: A.R. Ammons

I found a
weed
that had a

mirror in it
and that
mirror

looked in at
a mirror
in

me that
had a
weed in it


Professor Thomas Joswick introduced me to this poem in an American Literature course back in graduate school. At times this poem rings so true with me, and at other times, I'm not sure I completely grasp the entirety of the message.

The obvious message is reflection of one's self: look in the reflection to understand yourself, connect with yourself, yada yada yada...But as I read this poem several times a week as it embraces the surface of the fridge, I wonder, is its message really that simple?

So I will continue to read this plentiful poem by A.R. Ammons in hopes that a clearer and more graceful message looks back at me.