The Girl in the Mirror - By Eshmal Khan

Written By: Eshmal Khan

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant poem "The Girl in the Mirror," Eshmal Khan delves deep into themes of self-reflection and identity. Participating in the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece explores the complex emotions tied to self-perception and introspection. The poem's raw honesty and emotional depth invite readers to contemplate their own reflections and the often harsh self-judgments we impose upon ourselves.

About the Work

Eshmal Khan's "The Girl in the Mirror" is a powerful exploration of self-identity and emotional struggle. The poem employs vivid imagery and a haunting tone to convey the speaker's profound sense of disconnection from their own reflection. Through evocative language, Khan captures the internal battle between self-criticism and the longing for self-acceptance, painting a relatable picture of inner turmoil.

The girl in the mirror

Original Submission by Eshmal Khan

The girl in the mirror

I look at myself in the mirror

And all I see is something to loathe

All I see is something to tarnish

Something that doesn’t even hold

I look at myself in the mirror

And all I see is something trying to be what it’s not

Something that crumbles at every insult

Something that wishes it was gone

I don’t recognise that girl in the mirror

She isn’t who I wanted to be

She isn’t the little girl who chased butterflies in the park

She isn’t who that little girl wanted to be when she grew up

That girl in the mirror isn’t me

She can’t be me

Her eyes are too small and her waist is too big

She cries too much and thinks she doesn’t fit in

That girl in the mirror is staring at me

She has tears pooling in her plain brown eyes

She’s looking at my too big waist

And my too small eyes

I think the girl in the mirror doesn’t like me

She doesn’t like my stomach

She doesn’t like my thighs

She doesn’t like my nose

Or my teethy smile

The girl in the mirror is mean

She screams insults at me

And she belittles me

She makes me believe that I’m not enough

And that I’m too much

So I break the mirror in which she lives

And I pick up the shards

But the girl in the mirror doesn’t leave

She cuts me with her broken pieces

And watches my blood splatter onto the glass

The girl in the mirror will never leave

She’ll stay with me till my last breath

She’ll sing songs of her hatred

And she’ll whisper insults in my ear

But what can I do to rid myself of her if she’s always there

If she’s watching my every move

If she’s breathing down my neck

I’ll have to live with the girl in the mirror

And wish that I was dead instead

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event that gathers talented writers from around the world. This competition celebrates the art of storytelling and poetry, offering a platform for voices to be heard and shared across diverse audiences, without focusing on rankings or awards.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Eshmal Khan for sharing "The Girl in the Mirror" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the tapestry of voices and stories that define this event. We look forward to seeing more of your impactful work in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.