The mirror with no winner

A rhythmic reflection on conflict, ego, and the quiet strength it takes to seek truth over triumph. This poem calls for emotional clarity and shared healing.

Im not asking for medals

or the crown of who was right

Just a moment at the bruises

trace the reason for our fight.

I'm not shouting for conquest

not trying to drown your tone

I only raise my voice when silence shills the bone.

This isn't a courtroom drama

with verdicts, guilt and plea

It's two people in a story

where both forget to see.

Maybe you weren't taught

how kindness fits in pain

how ego wears a mask

when blame begins to reign.

And I've mis stepped too

I've let fury lead the way

But no one learns from silences

that only wants to stay.

So say you didn't know it

so say you missed the sound

But don't pretend the fault is mine alone

and drop me below ground

I don't need a confession

to write my heart in gold

I need your whole honesty

so healing can start unfold

So if you're ready, step with me

not to sharpen blame or scold

But to breathe inside the quiet

and see what truth can hold

I'll meet you in the middle

where compassion flows

not to win the final word

but to learn the one that grows

Author's Note

This piece was born from a desire to mend, not to win. It speaks to the space between pride and understanding, where love still flickers even when words fail. If you have ever stood in that moment where honesty trembles beneath ego's grip, I hope these verses echo truth. feedbacks are welcome, read with grace. 💖

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Would be nice if we could meet in the middle. Protect children and all people dear Gregoria.
(I'll meet you in the middle
where compassion flows
not to win the final word
but to learn the one that grows)
The above lines are my wishes also. Thank you for sharing the amazing and worthwhile poetry.
Coyote

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Coyote. Your words meet me gently in that middle space. I’m grateful they resonated and even more so for your shared wish to protect what matters most.

[DIVYA]

Dear Gregoria,
A wonderful poem here! There has to be a middle ground in relationships. A meeting point which both must travel to and reach a compromise. There's no other way to do it. When someone stays uncompromising, angry or bitter, its time to part ways. Love only stays where it is valued and nurtured. Beautifully written!

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Divya, for your thoughtful words about the poem! I completely agree with you that finding a middle ground and being willing to compromise is essential in relationships. Your insight that love only stays where it's valued and nurtured is so true. I'm glad you resonated with the poem's message, and I appreciate your kind words about the writing.

[DIVYA]

You're very welcome, Gregoria.

[John Sullivan]

Oof. Truth is, I'm just getting out a relationship fairly recently... we didn't fight too often, but in the end it's likely we both made mistakes... I regret to say I've learned I'm the type to give a bit of the silent treatment... Anyways. A really well written slice of that sort of moment, and all the complicated emotions...

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, John, for sharing your thoughts and connecting with the poem. I'm sorry to hear you're going through a tough time after a recent breakup. It takes a lot of self-awareness to recognize our own mistakes and patterns, like the silent treatment. I hope the poem resonated with you in some way, and I appreciate your kind words about the writing. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this challenging time.

[A.H.]

"Make love, not war", they say. It's tough to reason and calm when a conflict arises. But you deal with this subject and theme here with depth and thoughts. I really liked the last stanza of the poem,
"I'll meet you in the middle
where compassion flows
not to win the final word
but to learn the one that grows"

It is the middle path that wins! arguments don't end with a winner, it only ends with losses on both sides, depends on what you take as a win. So I totally, agree - meet in the middle, resolve conflicts and have peace. This poem talks and balms. Thanks for writing and sharing, Gregoria!

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, A.H., for your kind words and thoughtful insights! I appreciate how you resonated with the idea of meeting in the middle for true resolution and peace. Your agreement with the poem's message means a lot to me. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

[Neha agrawal]

This is beautiful in the way only honesty can be. Every line walks that delicate line between pain and empathy especially "But no one learns from silences / that only wants to stay." That hit hard. This isn’t just poetry, it’s emotional maturity in verse. Thank you for writing it and for inviting us to read with grace. You did that with grace, too.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Neha, for your beautiful words about my poem. I'm grateful you resonated with the emotions and themes, and I'm glad the lines you mentioned hit you in a meaningful way. Your kind words about emotional maturity in verse mean a lot to me.

[Chris Shaw]

An amazing write here Gregoria. Fine words on the subject of pursuing the middle ground. If only our politicians could take a leaf out of that book, maybe there would be less world conflict. Mending and healing, I’m all for far more of that. Sadly some are only interested in conquering and winning. Have a beautiful day dear poet.

Chris

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you so much, Chris, for your thoughtful words about my poem! I couldn't agree more about the importance of finding common ground and working towards healing and understanding. It's indeed a valuable lesson for all areas of life, including politics. Your message of mending and healing is beautifully put, and I appreciate your kind sentiments. Wishing you a beautiful day as well, filled with hope and positivity!

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem is full of emotion and honesty. The poem shows how important understanding, kindness, and truth are in a relationship. It's not about blaming or winning, it's about healing together. Your words flow gently and speak straight to the heart. The rhyming is really nice too. Overall, a lovely poem!

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Ayesha. Your comment truly warmed me. I hoped the poem would land gently and honestly, and your words let me know it did. I'm grateful you saw the heart behind each line. Healing through kindness means everything to me and sharing that space with another writer like you makes it even more real.

[Ayesha Faiz]

My pleasure. 😊

[Davidgeo]

Very human. The ego is a reflection of our basic animal reconciling with modernity. There is no real truth to be had conclusively, there will be no grand epiphany... we must make the best of the time we happen to be here for. The darkness between the light will be there regardless of the sum total of every human accomplishment and failure combined. I believe we only find our purpose when we realize our irrelevance.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you Davidgeo, your reflections feel like a mirror tilted towards the star, stark, thoughtful and-strangely comforting. If we are irrelevance wrapped in awareness, then maybe compassion is what makes us echo. I am very grateful that you took the time to engage so deeply.

[Davidgeo]

That review was probably a little too cynical. I don't mean to sound like a pop nihilist.

Epiphanies' are real, even if it's telling you they aren't.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

No worries, I didn't read it as nihilism, just raw honesty. And yes, epiphanies sneaks up like that, evern in poems that claims there are none. The contradiction feels beautifully human.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with such openness.🫶

[Lorry]

Why everyone wants to win the point is beyond me. I prefer a quick kiss and make up to stop the ear bleeding loudness of shouts any day.
You should just get used to saying "my bad, sorry" when you are wrong and that way the other will get used to hearing it and not shouting their head off.
Then, ever so occasionally throw in a "you bad" when it is their fault and smile at them. See if that quietens the thunder.
Katie always knows that bringing any problems up at dinner is the best time, as I'll be too worried I won't get any dessert... or even worse, something healthy! 😃

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lorry. I agree that quick forgiveness can keep things light, but I’ve found that real harmony often needs both softness and strength. Sometimes the most loving thing is holding firm with kindness, so healing isn’t just fast but lasting. 😊🫶

[Mark Raines]

Liked the theme of this poem

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Mark. I’m glad the theme resonated it’s one I return to often, with hope and honesty.