Flame In the Mirror

The prism had reflected a crumbling schism of broken glass for far too long

A mosaic with sharp spikes and edges imprinted on a breaking point of shards

Copious cornucopia scattered over a trapdoor of lost fragments in disarray 


Is the whole more than the sum of its part when there is a hole at the centre

How does one create a hologram when light has faded all shades of colours

In which the shadows of memories fail to illuminate meaningful anticipation


Tim’s gaze fell on the mantel piece towering over the time worn fireplace

Perched on the crumbling wall of passion surrounded by ash crested tiles

Ornaments collected and surpassed by engraved chinks in the passage of time


He got out a scraper and sand paper to lure wood worm out of the darkened

Grooves and hollow burrows leading from an illusion of truthful misconception

The fire had gone cold no ember just decrepit burns on the disintegrating grid


Tim stared into the chimney searched for an oracle from soot and from sorrow

Yearned for passion and a few bits of ember to alight from hard frozen pain

His focus ascended to a cracked mirror above framed with ivory and marble

Rose petals and ivy adorning a longed-for metaphor on the margins of truth


A whole mirror cabinet exploded in the diaphanous mind full of distortion

Pierced his eyes stroked a few lonely tears once he burnished the pine surface

Inhaled turpentine paint stripper and uncovered a labyrinthine underworld maze

Sand paper was not merely enough and linseed oil would not paper over cracks

He could not let go of the image of parabolic imagination that right there hidden

Under dust and grime was a hidden treasure parchment paper and fountain pen


One last look and Tim realized he did not wish for a mirror image because that

Would be solely a mirage quite fantastical and delirious but fraught just the same

He needed just one more mirror for the mirror to take a close look of himself


26th February 2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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George   Avatar
March 2, 2019 at 3:37 AM
Very deep and profound...much to ponder here, Kai. Thank you for sharing. Elaine
Neumann Avatar
March 2, 2019 at 4:31 AM
Thank you Elaine. I appreciate that. Kind wishes, Kai
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