"Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness. In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish". ~ Sylvia Plath
It’s tempting to believe
visions deceive, through a glass darkly.
The lens phlegmatically receives
a topsy-turvy replica – it cannot lie.
Only the systemic post-processing
converts until the world comes right
before our eyes.
What if Narcissus never found the pool?
If reflection was pensive, the thinker in stone?
Neither the self-image we seek to see
in others’ eyes nor in the solitary silvered glass.
Dusty with age and thickened
layer upon layer of pasted faces.
The countenance in contemplation
before the tasty temptation
to tittivate, adulterate
and at the vainglorious end of vanity
to turn mercurial mirrors to the wall
and ask…
Who?
Touching on some existential authenticity with today’s image prompt from the Sunday Muse
PoetryPix 
Above and beyond, Laura. A voice that’s beyond the cares of everyday, staring not so much into the mirror but her own personal abyss.
spot on and thanks you Charley – through the looking glass as it were.
I look inward is what we all need! This is deep and wonderful Laura!! Insightful at its finest!! I love where the image took you!
loved this image – thank you – and it opened up an existential can of worms in the apple 😉
A wonderful poem for contemplation. I love the way you have the lens receive the image and then turn that calmness back into the reader–the enchantment failing in the process.
thank you for some feedback that gives food for thought!
You have blended the profound with the obvious; terribly human. Show-stopper for this reader: mercurial mirrors. Excellent
many thanks for stopping by with your show-stopper comment
A loud shout out … WOW … this is simply wonderful poetry.
A vociferous thank you Helen
Existential ambiguity for sure! “If reflection was pensive, the thinker in stone?” was my favorite, and the question of what happens if Narcissus never finds the pool. What happens, who are we without that struggle to rectify the topsy-turvy world and self view?
the hardest question of all – thanks for your appreciation!
“What if Narcissus never found the pool” What a perfectly posed question to send us pondering for hours in our easy chairs gazing at the flames in the fireplace. What is indeed!!!
love the image you pose here Bev
Love this. The mirror can tell truth or lie depending on one’s view of self.
ahh but can the mirror ever know us?
This is excellent, Laura. I love the idea of Narcissus not finding the pool, and the eddies of thought that brings.
nice one ‘eddies of thoughts’ ❤