Gaze into the mirror
at the face behind the mask
and wonder if it's really you,
or don’t you dare to ask?

Who can know what lies beyond
the mirrors fragile face,
reflections of another life;
another time or place?
  
Touch the chill upon the glass
and see a tiny ripple,
was it real or in your mind,
did it really feel so supple?

Gaze into empty eyes
and fall into the depths
of a soul once so full of life,
so youthful and adept.

Look to see what lies beneath,
to feel the piercing pain
of a cold, tired and tortured mind,
so old and now so stained.

Seek the truth, as only one
who dares, could ever see,
touch the glass with hard resolve,
do you want to set it free?

As tears return to trace the tracks
they've travelled so many days.,
to feel a cold and empty heart
as it fades into the haze.

Wrap yourself in a lovers embrace
as it slowly disappears,
until finally you understand
where you've been for all these years
.

A cry escapes from silent lips
as knowledge flows like sand,
your former self now fades from view,
beseeching, held out hands.

As you gaze into the trembling glass,
your thoughts so far away,
who is really watching who
and who can really say.


Written by Darren Scanlon, 12th May 2014.
Revised 17th September 2015.
©2015 Darren Scanlon. All rights reserved.
http://www.darrenscanlon.wordpress.com