Mortal Mirror

A poetic journey into the looking glass of life and death.

The gilded mirror shines forth, pulling back the curtain,

to see what lies here thus, that flattened, polished surface.

Beneath that sparkling span, does rest a hidden abyss,

for one can only find, in looking glass such as this!

 

‘Tis here, this mortality's mirror, does thus impart,

what most is assuredly, not for thee, of faint heart.

Indeed one fearfully must gaze upon their fate ‘til, 

both joy and terrible forth comings can be revealed!

 

Oh, why me?

 

Now shimmering, this pane emits, hollowness in tone, 

as all diseased outcomes reflected, are now shown.

Hence, denying yet nothing, skin and bone it cuts through, 

as I do plead, there is accounted much for the truth!

 

I weep at this painful, one-sided back-of-hand deal,

bargain I greater, those of power, hence help me heal!

I scream at ugly glass, for there is much to reflect,

to Gods denied, all those uncured ills leave me bereft!

 

Oh, why me?

 

Now I have reached my peak and there’s not much left to ask,

and now this maelstrom’s ended, this most unforgiv’n task.

Then, I surprised, see there is more as I stare aghast, 

confused as I peer deeper, looking into the past!

 

Way back to memories those, love so profoundly sweet, 

this midst a life entangled with so much sad debris.

That, I with shame realize, the best of those elapsed I recall, 

t’was I forgot to thank the Gods, nor screamed with pure joy…

 

Oh, why me?

 

 

Poetic Structure:  Iambic pentameter with double Catalexis on all lines

       except “Oh Why Me” which is Dactylic

 

The gilded mirror shines forth, pulling back the curtain,

to see what lies here thus, that flattened, polished surface.

Beneath that sparkling span, does rest a hidden abyss,

for one can only find, in looking glass such as this!

 

‘Tis here, this mortality's mirror, does thus impart,

what most is assuredly, not for thee, of faint heart.

Indeed one fearfully must gaze upon their fate ‘til, 

both joy and terrible forth comings can be revealed!

 

Oh, why me?

 

Now shimmering, this pane emits, hollowness in tone, 

as all diseased outcomes reflected, are now shown.

Hence, denying yet nothing, skin and bone it cuts through, 

as I do plead, there is accounted much for the truth!

 

I weep at this painful, one-sided back of hand deal,

bargain I greater, those of power, hence help me heal!

I scream at ugly glass, for there is much to reflect,

to Gods denied, all those uncured ills leave me bereft!

 

Oh, why me?

 

Now I have reached my peak and there’s not much left to ask,

and now this maelstrom’s ended, this most unforgiv’n task.

Then, I surprised, see there is more as I stare aghast, 

confused as I peer deeper, looking into the past!

 

Way back to memories those, love so profoundly sweet, 

this midst a life entangled with so much sad debris.

That, I with shame realize, the best of those elapsed I recall, 

t’was I forgot to thank the Gods, nor screamed with pure joy…

 

Oh, why me?

©2012 Barbara Brown

All rights reserved

Author's Note

Through the abstract application of "mortality's mirror," this poem presents the juxtaposition of bemoaning such fear and loss, yet never asking "why me" when good things happen in life.