An illustrated poem of what it is to be a Brownie.
This is a little poem for anybody who used to be a brownie it’s called Who Do You See.
I’m 7 becoming a Brownie
In a brown dress and bobble hat
“Look into the mirror pond, and who do you see”?
I see a myself full of ideas looking back at me
14 and hormones surging
A blue mohair jumper and spiral permed hair
I pose in my bedroom mirror, and what do I see?
I see nothing I like looking back at me.
An adult in a strange bathroom
Old makeup and creased clothes
I squint into the strange mirror and wonder what I see.
I see freedom and fear looking back at me.
On a special day
A once in a lifetime princess
I look in the fancy mirror, and love what I see
I see beautiful conformity looking back at me.
My first date in 18 years
Aged, experienced yet young
I gaze in the mirror and don’t recognise what I see
I see rawness and resilience looking back at me.
Getting ready to perform
Word prompts in my hand
Applying make-up in a shared mirror and what do I see
I see what pride and accomplishment looking back at me.
Growing forever older
Grateful to be here when others aren’t
I use the neglected mirror and smile at what I see
I still see that Brownie, the Brownie, that’s still me.
J Shipton
2025