Magic Mirror

Magic mirror on the wall

Was this reflection warranted at all?

Lines and scars upon this face

Memory of their name I fail to place

Through dark halls and horror we ran

Helping those we could when we can

So tell me mirror

With all your shallow grace

Who is this stranger before me?

What is the story in their tired face?

Midnight oil burns twice as bright

When only I and shadow fend off and fight

Of monsters and man and fool and more

Sickened by this brutal chore

Magic mirror I hear you say

That we are never separate anyway

How can this be truth when my ears ring

Hearing howling hounds among the angel wings

What was home and where am I now?

All you have said is to never bow

That you and I am one in the same

Then who

Magic mirror

Is this reflection I fail to name?

What happened to their smiling face?

Their courage of never bending?

No matter how tall the mountains?

Nor depth of hell descending?

What broke this strangers face that I now see?

Who longs for passion to resurrect and be free?

Magic mirror I beg of you please

Tell me who I’m supposed to appease

Of the stranger close to you and I

To wash away this ruined lie

You and I are the same you repeat

From the air above to the earth beneath your feet

Although separation is the key

Never forget about you and me

I understand yet scream

I already know what you mean

You spiteful mirror!

That doesn’t explain all the pain that you bring!

What was the point of dragging me through mud and stone?

Uncertain where to rest my tired bones!

Of love and loss gone to waste!

Oh the pain you brought with haste!

Settle now

Reflection rebuttals

Which piece of I has thrown you into trouble?

I ask mirror now to be fair

No amount of explanation can repair

Broken trust and labored leaving

From failure grew questions of succeeding

Settle again magic mirror sighs

Don’t be caught within all the lies

Many things can be one

Even in this pain try to find the fun

We should not dwell on what cannot be done

Just as we shouldn’t stare at the sun

What gives life can take it away

Those are the rules upon the stage in which we play

Life need not be void of meaning

Stand where trouble is void of intervening

To rekindle passion you must engage

With what you love without rage

Forgive yourself no matter the pain

As we have blue skies

We also require rain

Avoid what steals away your shine

While accepting storms from time to time

With this magic mirror you have spoke

At points of wisdom you do indeed poke

May I attempt with all my heart to greet this reflection

Without needless harm and retrospection

For you see this reflection is me

Yes

I know

I see

Thank you magic mirror

For unpacking one of many mysteries

Author's Note

I wrote this poem, feeling inspired by the trails and confusion of this year. Although I'm not much of a poet, I felt called to write something.

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

We must be on the same path for until now had I no idea you wrote this fine poem on the same subject. Great work though. How weird for this is not the first time I have covered a subject only to find another poet had the same or similar idea. Amazing.

[Kane Hagwood]

I absolutely love that poem I read of yours with the cracking mirror. It was so honest and pragmatic. A "Yep, that's life" sorta poem. Even with two similar ideas, I love how I see another creative mind take a spin at things. You know, in all this time writing, I've found it to be pretty common when a handful of writers or poets write something in a similar vein, having no conception that their writers-in-arms had the same starting point. But where the poems and stories end up, even having a similar birth, is one of the most interesting and creative parts of writing as a whole.

What's the saying? Great minds think alike? Ha!

Thank you so much for the review :)

[Arundass TP]

Thank you for writing a brilliant creative poem. We all get inspiration from somewhere in this world. What subject we choose ...depends on where we are stuck and got inspired. Loved your poem

[IC]

Most interesting slant on the Snow White fairytale, making the fairytale resonate personally. Expanded nicely with a good use of imagination. I think metered lines would boost its appeal

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you for the review! I think you're right about using metered lines next time. Sometimes when I attempt poetry, I kinda let the rhythm go where it may. But perhaps I could make it even better by honing it in a bit. Thanks for the feedback, that helps a lot!

[Sapphus]

Such good poetry. You certainly have sound poetry in you. A mirror needed telling off. WHO could do justice to a mirror like you??

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you for the review! And believe me, I've tried telling off the mirror. But in the end, it always seems to show the way.

[Sapphus]

Its very deep and that's the problem with it. No Worry. I liked it.

[Arundass TP]

A beautiful writing so creative. Really loved it

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you for the kind review!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Magic Mirror,
Kane Hagwood,
The mirror is the soul which does sense, does feel, does interpret. This is where we live but the heart interprets. So really we speak back to our minds what is felt in importance, in weight. Your poem brought to mind how time doesn't seem to be real in this realm. You spoke of seeing a lined face. It is kind of noticable to see. Ageing carries life lines.
Great poem.
Kathy

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you for the thought provoking review! When I wrote this poem, it felt entirely that of stream of consciousness. I feel my heart and my mind had a lot to say, and a lot of comfort to give, in its own way.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I would say you have poetry within you. I like this metaphor...reminds me of Plath's poem "Mirror"--
we look into it and we are not comfortable with what we see. We want a different face, a different age, we want sweeter times as the lines drawn on our face are those from worry, heartbreak, fear.
This is a good poem...many mysteries are unpacked.
Like Hamlet expressed..." That I, like a w***e, must unpack my heart with words"---
j.

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you so much for the review! I did what I could to have an optimistic spin on it while still expressing the weight that this year has brought with it.

[Stu. T.H.]

One would break if they ever come to hate themselves, it's better to play the straw-man game by building another persona and throw all our responsibilities to them, yes? To be led astray by own our kin, our subconscious desires, and for too long, that sensation becomes more real than ever. And suddenly, we got someone to take the fall for us, while tending us all the same. Oh, wicked desires that arouse confusion, but not all lies are faulty or do they need to inspire evil, but we feel the need to be rid of them sooner or later while not wanting to do so at all at heart ~ We simply are guilty, feeling guilty at heart for so-called "lying". Oh dear, such wonders of one's mind are always arousing to see, but also so predictable. Because at day's end, we all know that one can never be rid of their Reflection unless they themlves remove their Eyes first ~ Yes? Arbitrary, yet unorthodox idea. But that only proves further that by day's end, we care lots and lots for ourselves. And isn't that enough? For one to indulge in this white lie ~ ?

Wonderous work, author Kane Hagwood. A very entertaining read.

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you very much for reviewing my poem, and for such an insightful review at that! It always brings me joy to find others finding joy within my work as well. You've given me a lot to think about, and perhaps will give my own reflection a second look now.

[Stu. T.H.]

No biggies ~ It's by your own talents and fortunes that had woven such a fabuloud work in the first place. Though, I'm pleased to hear that my input is much helpful to you, author Kane Hagwood. I wish you a good day or night, wherever you are.

[Kane Hagwood]

And to you as well! :)

[Matthew Kult]

Elegantly told, lovely rhyme scheme. Wonderland Esq.

Excellent read

With love

Matthew

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you very much for the review, Matthew. For my first poem back on this platform, I'm very happy with how it turned out.

[W. Barrett Munn]

It’s impressive to write something this long while tying lines using end rhyme that sounds unforced.

Winston

[Kane Hagwood]

Thank you for the review and the complement! I'll be honest, the rhyming had me winded there for a minute, but I managed to endure.