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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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It’s Just a Mirror

May 3, 2021 7 Comments

By Nat H.

Head down. Avoid eye contact. It’s just a bathroom mirror. Don’t give it the light of day. Use only quick glances; don’t focus on its features.

Ignore the cracked, dotted skin. Scratched, hairy legs. Broad, heavy shoulders. Bulging, outward gut. Broken, torn nails.

Don’t make a single sound. Don’t let it hear me. Not a cough, sneeze, or sigh. The echoes of the white walls and glass are relentless.

Make it quick. Get out fast. Brush my teeth, comb my hair, but don’t act like I own this body. It isn’t mine. It can’t be.

Finally, step away from the mirror.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy Cade says

    May 3, 2021 at 7:43 am

    Love it!
    101 words I can relate to.

    Reply
  2. David Daniel says

    May 3, 2021 at 8:29 am

    Top shelf!

    Reply
  3. Kevin says

    May 3, 2021 at 10:38 am

    Superbly claustrophobic. This begs for a longer piece.

    Reply
  4. Ruth M says

    May 3, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    This is very relatable; much was expressed in 101 words. Great work!

    Reply
  5. Andrea Damic says

    May 5, 2021 at 8:52 am

    Great piece! Much was said in such a limited word count. Well done!

    Reply
  6. HelenZ says

    May 5, 2021 at 7:03 pm

    wow – I wonder what happened to “his” body?

    Reply
  7. Yakov Bok says

    May 21, 2021 at 11:23 am

    Great work that anyone of a certain age can relate to but … I can’t see my legs in the bathroom miror unless I stand on the toilet seat.

    Reply

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