mirror mirror

so much

time has been spent in front

of mirrors,

trying to determine

who exactly is this

face

looking back.

is this how others see

me?

for better or worse,

i turn my head to the

right

then left and

examine the lines that

have arrived,

the folly

of the follicles, combed

for years

just so, the scalp,

now bare and reflecting

the bathroom

light.

the mirror doesn't love

me anymore,

i sigh, but others do,

i think,

as i return to bed 

to kiss

a loved one goodnight.