Reflection

The kindest version

She’s happy alone in the midst of many 
she winks as she passes the mirror 
so many to talk to, so many to see
never stopping to think, is this really me?
                              ~~~

I had a mirror 
old beechwood framed 
tall arched narrow 
it’s mercurial surface 
a tad foxed in the corners 
I called it my kindness mirror 

it’s reflected light was solemn yet gentle 
silver reflections simply pleasing and mellow 
I felt at home there and my eyes would see
a half~hesitant hand reaching to touch
the smoothest, kindest, version of me

Alone, yet happy, in passing 

Alas

When I left home my kindness deserted me 
I’d left it behind in that hallway, you see
I’d search through every haystack day 
seeking a suitable replacement, but now
my mirror resides in that forgotten hallway 
seemingly so far, far away

I wonder if it can see me waving 
through the street door glass 
so fragile and brittle 
at a younger, kinder, version of me 
                         ~~~

Grandma used to say:

“The front door should be reserved 
for use only three times in our life
once when we’re welcomed into the world
later to be carried across the threshold 
Last to carry us off into eternity”

Like grandma, her hair is grey now
as fine and as silky as the cobwebs 
hanging unseen in the dimlit hallway 
trembling in the breeze 
from the open doorway

As the ghost passes 

she winks at her reflection 

her hand rearranges a straying curl

her rueful face smiles

one last time in this world

and the kindest face 

in the kindest of mirrors

smiles back.

                         ~~~~~~~~~

I used to have an antique arched beechwood mirror that I bought second hand and lovingly restored. 
The love that I gave it seemed reciprocated by the kindest of reflections that I’ve ever known in a mirror, it was gentle and kind, no matter what my mood, no matter what the lighting.
When I left behind that life, I lost my friendly mirror and reflections seem harsher now though that may just be imagination and old age creeping up on me, playing tricks.

I hope you enjoyed reading this homage to gentle reflections and may all your mirrors be kind to you, 

                           With love, Sea😘



Photo by Chidy Young on Unsplash

Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay