Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see a baby, all happy smiles and chuckles, as she tries to feel the refection of herself, with pats and thumps of her tiny hands. Her mom, who finds great pleasure in her baby’s explorations, holds her. The baby laughs and giggles in delight.

Mirror; Mirror, on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see a little girl playing dress-up, admiring her reflection as she pretends to be a princess, Cinderella, a movie star or a famous person. She giggles and laughs as her best friend joins her in the game of pretend.

Mirror; Mirror, on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see a teenager, sullen and depressed. Hair dyed purple, a ring on her eyebrow, a stud in her tongue. Afraid of what the future holds for her. Will it be wonderful and beautiful like the flitting of a butterfly? Or will it be filled with the worst horrors of life? Like abuse drugs, gangs, poverty, war, or death. She frowns and wipes at tear-filled eyes before someone else sees her fear.

Mirror; Mirror, on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see a young woman lovingly holding a baby as she looks deeply into the eyes of the child, wondering if she will have what it takes to be responsible for this new life. Can she provide for it, as well as love and adore it. She smiles to cover the fear that shows in her own eyes.

Mirror; Mirror, on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see a woman, harried and stressed, as she attempts to finish dressing, so she can rush to a job that doesn’t pay enough. Several young children are playing near her; demanding her attention. Attention she knows she has to give to her appearance and job rather than the children she loves and works so hard to care for. So, instead, she yells at them; sends them away from her. Her eyes fill with anguish, and remorse and a tear slides down one check as she tries to call them back to her. She wants to say 'to heck with the job', but knows she can't.

Mirror; Mirror, on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see a middle-age woman who is surprised to find streaks of gray in her hair and wrinkles on her face that she has tried diligently, but unsuccessfully, to hide. A tear slides down her face. Her husband wraps a strong arm around her shoulder and pulls her close as he mummers that it doesn’t matter; that he still loves her regardless of how she looks. He kisses the tears away and makes her smile.

Mirror; Mirror, on the wall. Tell me what you see today.

I see an old woman, elderly, frail, with hearing and eyesight almost gone. Her hand shakes and trembles as she tries to brush at a straggling wisp of white hair. Memories, good and bad, flit through her mind. She remembers family and friends, some dead, some having forgotten about her. But she remembers, even though she doesn’t want to. Her old, faded, defeated eyes squeeze out one more tear. It slides down her face to drop off her chin and disappear into oblivion.

Mirror, Mirror on the wall.