the slightly shrunken reflection
finds my eyes,
smiles with my lips
reaches with hands like my own to caress
my face, as she tries in vain
to show me what I can be.
But I have vowed my way is best,
I've said I'd look no further than
the distance of my own eyes
from my task, and I swiftly break
the bond
like a precious chain around my neck
anchoring me to reason, to purpose.
Freed, I retreat into the cliches I know best,
my bitterness a swallow of whiskey long forgotten about
burning through every rope I ever used
to tie myself to
the girl I wish I saw in the mirror
so beautiful, so beloved,
so imaginary.