The mirror thought that it was Michaelangelo
But He knew better
and in the fat, white Fererra light
his hands in the water
thickened, and wrinkled and aged.
The smoking stink of tallow
sputtered sulphur light that shaded the window
an old pewter bowl discoloured
horse tooth stains
black on grey
the soot in his eyes
black speckled now
soot on the page
and age stained the proud mirror
mocked by smooth marble
and smoother tongues
washed out backness
bleak as dark eyes
hooded by wrinkled skin.
Water ripples round trembling hands
marble chips fall through
an emptying hourglass
the mirror's delusion mere mockery
of the perfection that he once wrought
Dec 2, 2024
Dec 2, 2024 at 7:19 PM UTC
The mirror thought that it was Michaelangelo
But He knew better
and in the fat, white Fererra light
his hands in the water
thickened, and wrinkled and aged.
The smoking stink of tallow
sputtered sulphur light that shaded the window
an old pewter bowl discoloured
horse tooth stains
black on grey
the soot in his eyes
black speckled now
soot on the page
and age stained the proud mirror
mocked by smooth marble
and smoother tongues
washed out backness
bleak as dark eyes
hooded by wrinkled skin.
Water ripples round trembling hands
marble chips fall through
an emptying hourglass
the mirror's delusion mere mockery
of the perfection that he once wrought