The Mirror

Another poignant poem written by Martin Silvester … you may also be interested in reading his first book of poems called Last Apple on The Tree

The Mirror

I wish I’d had a sister, or a brother just like me,
Someone to have played with, from my family tree.
Someone to grow up with, gentle hearted, not too wild,
I didn’t really want to be, just a lonely only child.

So I’d look into a mirror, and gaze upon my twin,
I’d talk about my favourite toys, or any trouble I was in.
I’d ask if he would play with me, if he had the choice,
But all he did was stare at me, he didn’t have a voice.

But he was there as I grew up, looking always, just like me,
So at last I had a brother, growing on my family tree.
Every night he was there to greet me,when up the stairs I’d climb,
And he’d help me look for dragons, under my bed at sleeping time.

He always came to school with me, he was with me everywhere,
I could see him in a window pane, if I looked, then he was there.
If I looked into a puddle, he’d be looking up at me,
So I wasn’t quite as lonely , as an only child…you see.

In later life he is still here,my friend from long ago,
And I still talk to him in times of stress, or when I’m feeling low,
I’ve seen him smile, I’ve seen him cry, I’ve seen him looking sad,
I’ve seen him grit his teeth and growl, when life has made him mad.

My children sometimes ask me, why the old mirror has to stay,
The frames all bent and twisted, you should throw the thing away!
But through it all, it’s  been right there, I’ve only had to look,
Into the mirror of my youth, still hanging on its hook.

Some might say I must be mad, to have a mirror as a friend,
But when I look, I know he’ll be there, until the bitter end.
So this only child is not alone, and it’s comforting to know,
My best friends face, will look back at me…until we have to go.

© Martin Silvester. 12/6/15.