A Mirror

A mirror is not justice to the face,

Forgiving yet thine eye for sober judge,

For in those eyes resides a tempered grace

That lovers find who do not hold a grudge.

This grudge we must all harbour to our own

To know that face in all its many warts

While in devotion’s gaze it’s newly shown

And guiltless in the young beholder’s courts.

Who’s closer to the facts I come to doubt

When claims my love to find me painted bold

Upon the glass, and see what I’m about

As I despise myself for growing old.

  The bitter truth I treasure in my breast,

  My soul on best behaviour for its guest.

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

Mirrors. Yes. If beauty, be as proverbs proffer, found in the eye - then the mirror be but a tool of the beholder. Mirror lies mirrors the eye as in the last three lines, but then best behaviour becomes an advocate for justified acceptance. Thanks for sharing.