The Looking Glass

A young man faces the darkness in him after he falls asleep...

Reflection, the looking glass

Beyond, a world unseen

Alone, long it’s been

Adorned, leaves of grass

Inside, clear as glass

Blossoms, forever smiling keen

Trees, tops high unseen

Creatures, mighty beautiful amass.

 

Inside, isolated I stand

Watching, the sun caged

Everywhere, mighty trees aged

All, turning to sand

One, black strip-o’ land

Ravaged, myriad wars waged

Cataclysm, my eyes, staged

End, black I stand.

 

Nearer, black he smiles

Evil, see my eyes

Epitome, all my lies

Sanity, many a miles.

 

And I managed the words, “Who or what is it that you are?”

“Do you not see? I am you!”

“You can not be for I am not evil, while you exude an unfathomably ominous aura. So I ask again: who or what are you?”

And he laughed a mirthless and contemptuous laugh that rang out in the dark silence.

At length he spoke in a voice unlike before; a spine chilling insanity-laden voice.

“You say you are not evil and yet you harbor great malice towards your colleagues and contempt for your fellow humans. I am but the physical incarnation of your sins, your fears, your true emotions, your lies and your hate; as you spiral down this path stronger I become and soon I will be the only you; I shall watch this pretentious you rot away into oblivion as I take over.”

I shuddered at the thought and in earnest I searched my heart for my true feelings.

As I plunged deeper into my emotions I saw the black me rear his head and I realized he was indeed me; deep inside me evil dwelt waiting for but a weak moment to manifest itself.

 

Truth, my final fight

Clear, my true emotions

Broken, all conceited notions

Seeping, the purifying light

Sun, a majestic sight

Melting, the darkened motions

Thoughts, clear mighty oceans

Unbounded, free for flight.

Startled, I rose awake

Mirror, a propitious shine

Dream, tranquility be mine

Felicitous, life I make...

Author's Note

This was shortlisted for miracle ezine's 3rd issue (Don't yet know if it will be chosen). Please refrain from suggestions on how I can modify the format, I worked hard to maintain this format (rhyming style abbaabba)and it's deliberate...other than that please feel free to say what you think, rip it to shreds if you have to...

Reviews

[Mia]

Very cool...I really enjoyed that you added conversation to the poem...not often used but very effective in this case. As always Sid, it was a pleasure to read. Your talent is undeniable and wonderful :D

[Sid]

I tried the conversation in verses, didn't work out, thus the prose part of it...and Thank you for the review Mia!! As alwyas it leaves me smiling!! :D

[Mia]

I'm glad for that!

[Sid]

:)

[Jeff]

I like the style. It's abstract. Your words convey emotion though.

[Sid]

Glad you like it!!

[Jo March]

Sorry, I think it's really good. But i don't have an opinion on how you can improve it.

Good luck!

[Sid]

Thanks you, at least you like it, right?

[Tex]

yes, she implies it is so good she can not think of a way to improve it.