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The Old Woman In the Mirror
So far had I traveled to attend that very special occasion,
I could not miss the wedding of my friend to my friend.
Happy tears shed, bouquet thrown, signaled time to go;
skipped the reception so my long trek home could begin.
Wedding bells chimed from a crystal clock on the mantle
as I entered the powder room a last time to check my hair.
I first sighted a striking, well-dressed, older woman,
a regal queen, stone silent and frozen, standing there.
Pretending not to notice, I stood at the mirror, by her side;
not even the slightest stir! With flourish, I brushed my hair;
slyly peeked at her staring at herself, staring at herself;
her odd expression as though she saw a stranger there.
In hollow tones and soft-spoken voice, the silence was broken;
and, I thought, “is she talking to herself in the mirror, or me?”
No need to turn from her mirrored image; her aura said it all.
Tasteful well-bred sophistication; I donned smile for her to see.
She glanced and returned to her image before asking my name,
her slight motion was fragrant nostalgia, an aromatic recall;
"Siobhan, ma’am", I answered (that scent -- Charles of the Ritz!)
raised joy memories of Gran Mamier's musk. when I was small.
Outside, sunlight was swiftly fading into an orange twilight eve
I had to leave, but any attempts would be in vain, I knew well;
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Siobhan", she replied
with a graceful hand on mine, smiled and said simply, " Gisele."
"The wedding was a glorious affair", she said; smiling I nodded
in agreement; to my surprise she turned to face me once again.
Her somber smile had faded, in her eyes a fiery dance sparkled;
she whispered in sigh "my world is blue from happiness unseen.”
The bride was angelic vision in white, every feature and detail
train resplendent flowing gossamer wings, floating in her wake;
gliding on the arm of her tall charismatically handsome groom;
his proud peacock's strut; such a grande couple they did make!
"Assumption is marriage shelters, preserves, and nurtures love,
protecting, guiding and life-enriching, keeps love forever true,
but, Siobhan, my dear, I have lived and learned much in my life,
and of this I am sure, love can change one mind, separating two."
Quicksilver swift, fire died in her eyes, life drained and spent;
turned back to the mirror, story’s end left untold and unspoken;
but, unsaid words rang louder than she did, would or could utter;
her countenance sang it all, I knew her heart had been broken.
In her eyes and spirit, strong feelings of loss overpowered joy;
one did not need to be psychic, clairvoyant or such to know,
clearly as the image of myself looming right there before me;
beyond iota of doubt, Giselle was a bride who lost love long ago.
She was instantly frozen again, face and spirit again in stone;
of respect I departed quietly as a mouse, and let her rue alone.
GreenLipstick
(ddmEnt, 2003)
Published 10th Jun 2015
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11th Jun 2015 2:05am
interesting observations about official sanction society accords a couple and how circumstances can change over years. Dyads of course work different for everyone. Some gf/bf relationships are more solid then quite a few marriages.
11th Jun 2015 3:43am
true that! it has been my experience, twice, that marriage can maim a perfectly good love affair. Neither marriage lasted a fraction of the time spent as bf/gf. But, that's just me, I know and envy couples who have beaten the odds and actually mated for life! It's a beautiful thing of wonder for me.
For that reason, I decided long ago never to remarry, but want desparately to find a permanent mate to share the remainder of my voyage. I've always been, and remain, a one-man woman, true blue and faithful. but that's merely the foundation upon which to build a house of marriage.
Green
For that reason, I decided long ago never to remarry, but want desparately to find a permanent mate to share the remainder of my voyage. I've always been, and remain, a one-man woman, true blue and faithful. but that's merely the foundation upon which to build a house of marriage.
Green
