Musings with the Mirror

I stared at her

for the millionth time

that face  I knew so well.

When a muscle twitched

could  easily tell

if it meant fury

or  deep sorrow.

But what I saw of her now

seemed a sad,

weighed down, shadow.

In desperation

I bolted the  door

tried to hold on

grab her attention.

She looked back at me

as sad as ever.

The futility of my words

Palpable.

I caught her today,

staring at me.

with tear filled eyes,

those very same eyes

I’d seen

dancing with laughter.

I stared right back.

Her brow, creased in pain,

Shoulders, wracking with sobs

mouth tremulous, whimpering

out of control.

That very same mouth

I’d seen giggling,

with  much mirth

and  such lovely banter.

Tried to reach out

touch her

but my limbs were frozen,

frozen in the  washroom mirror.

While walls spun around

in slow motion.

My reflection and I

stayed still.

We stayed still

in a dizzying,

communion.

I looked  again into the mirror

And pondered

Why on earth

I looked like her?

How did it all begin?

What did  I do to make you

withdraw into another

and set off this  sad

sad mutation?