Visions through a Mirror Cracked

Softly, like a ghost,

wandering through a tired scene.

Confronted by all my almosts

as doors with windows inbetween.

Through the dirty, opaque glass

were visions of what I could be.

They would all blow away like ash,

overcooked in the kiln of opportunity.

One by one, I watched them all

crumble and fall, like castles of sand

broken before waves so tall

not one of them could withstand.

At the end, a final door,

and once more I implored the murky window.

But there was nothing within anymore,

just a pair of footprints in the snow.

Curious I grabbed the rusty handle,

but it came off, as if it were there

by naught but glue, left inaccessible;

a barrier beyond any hope of repair.

A tiny plaque, just as all the others

identified my particular failure.

Inscribed in dusty brass, the answer-

a single, lonely word: "Desire".

For a moment I had been there,

freezing in the winter of desperation.

But something had come along, lit my fire,

and dragged me back to a world of creation.

From the corner of my eye, I saw it,

within that frozen, forlorn world.

A pair of eyes, in the shadows lit

by starlight- like softly glowing pearls.

Suddenly I knew why I'd been brought,

the purpose of this fractured dream.

An answer I had vainly sought

through heavy doses of caffeine.

The twisted roads we navigate-

a labyrinth they may seem.

But with every labored step I take,

I discover another thread unseen.

Though I may never reach the end,

or find a place to stay along the way,

within the shadows... I've made a friend;

a reason to keep from drifting away.

Author's Note

I haven't been saying much here lately, but I just want to thank anyone that's glanced over my work at any point this year. Between all the kind words and useful critique, you've helped turn a humble endeavor of mine into a real passion. It means the world to me to be read, even by a single person, where even just last year I would've scribbled down my thoughts and buried them on my hard drive forever.

Happy holidays!

Reviews

[Ellie Qtz]

This was amazing. This was about the hardest one I had to reject. I think it was just so good there wasn't an award that would describe how amazing this is! Never be discouraged. You are amazing. Be proud!

[FIN]

This is powerful. Losing oneself and to be found again (or, to say: a reason, again).

The flow, rhythm, rhyme, lines, stanzas, imagery and story-telling were phenomenal and had me on the adventure with you.

This is by far one of my favorites that I have read on this site.

Fascinating, intriguing, mysterious, hopeful.

Great write.
Great job.
Great, everything.

Much love,

LR

[KTizzle]

This poem really moved me. I loved the idea of looking into a mirror and seeing all that you are: your life's experiences, your passion, and dreams. I wished I had seen more imagery about the crack, but otherwise, I really felt for this poem.

It brought me back to a time, much like a drought of inspiration- a long one. I had lost my writing I had kept since 4th grade on a flash drive that malfunctioned. I went through a long period of trying to recapture my writing voice. I couldn't write anything. The almosts were the pieces that looked like everything else, but my own. Finally, one experience did bring me back into the world of creation, one that made me so angry I had to pick up my pen. I wrote for the first time in a long while on white paper (I usually typed everything).

I am so glad you have made this your passion. It is mine as well.

Hope you had a great holiday!

Thanks for posting!

- Jazz