Before you lies a collection of poems that I have titled "Reflections - Mirror Images of My Soul." In it, I present selected poems from a decade (2001-2013). My experiences, impressions, and thoughts—everything that moves me—are refracted, amplified, and reflected in words like light through a prism. It helps me to understand myself and the world a little better. Like photography, each poem is a snapshot, creating images painted with the colors of words. Organized by themes, I hope to make it easier for readers to select poems that may resonate with them in various life situations. A clear separation is never entirely possible, as sometimes a poem may appear within a thematic complex while also containing elements that would allow it to be categorized under a different heading. Generally, the poems have been assigned to their respective areas chronologically, revealing how similarly themed focuses have been viewed from a new perspective over time. In certain cases, where it seems appropriate, this rule is intentionally deviated from. For poems that are particularly suitable for introducing or concluding a theme, the timing of their creation plays a secondary role. Two narrative threads guide this book: one of words and one of images. Although both may sometimes contain seemingly contradictory statements, they share one commonality: they are stories from my life. For me, it has been, is, and will remain an adventure to let other people dive into my world. This book invites all interested readers to do just that. I open myself to you and welcome every trace I leave in people. Yours, Rainer Ehritt.