New Mirror

(21 August 1979 - to MW)

Now that you're gone
I have only reflections
for company.

        They stare at me
        from the doors of the rooms
        you once called home.

Two full length mirrors,
woman-sized,
reflect tear-stained eyes
and squared shoulders.

        One I brought with me:
        it's twisted, cracked;
        in it, I'm fat,
        bloated, big-bellied,
        with coke-bottle glasses,
        dumpy, unlovely,
        too solid flesh.

But the other was yours:
in its liquid depths
I still can see
the woman you loved
so fine and fully,

        gold-skinned, firm
        as ripening fruit;
        flexible, free,
        with a flowing mane
        and rich-grown fields
        of mysterious fur -

a lover, a dancer;
she smiles in answer.

I'm glad you left her
for me, this vision,
this crystal woman.
I like her. I know
she has courage, strength
and a heart as full
with love as with pain,
and she'll love again

        And I'll love with her.
        Thanks for the mirror.





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