REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE

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 and 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 those empty eyes 
and fall into the depths 
of a soul that once was 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 drained. 

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 cold 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, 
just who is really watching who 
and who can really say?" 




Written by Darren Scanlon, 12th May 2014. 

Revised 21stSeptember, 2016. 
©2016 Darren Scanlon. All rights reserved.