Looking with as much honesty as is bearable, to the face that gazes back from my shaving mirror. |
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My Mirrored SelfIt has to do with mirrorsand we are a mirrored tribe In other times we saw ourselves reflected in the eyes of wives and children Those were the days our fortunes rose and fell like breath Their smaller hands within our own I saw myself just yesterday, shaving, looking pretty good Knew damned well I was keeping up, compared myself in corporate style, knew my quarterly report would show a profit Felt compelled to discontinue research and development in search of further dividends Forsaking something small and frail, to reach for grander stuff, my mirror you know, it sets these goals and I can but go along My neighborhood’s a corporate zone, the competition fierce, I have to spend my child’s share in this or fall behind and so I take it running He’ll forgive me, he’s a modern kid, aware of each contrived defense, in it too for short term growth Or so I think when I stop, catching my reflected glance So if the markets I’ve contrived should crash and burn, he’ll take it like a man and help pay off my loans There’s really not a lot of choice, not easy ones at least I keep up appearances, but they’re tougher every year It’s not easy, but I try to slash and burn my way It takes resources, guts to keep those paper-profits and the meek inherit nothing His legacy will be my credit cards, I really plan to pay them off before I’m done But my mirrored self has many needs, beyond the limits of my cash, air that’s fit to breathe, my credit limit soaring My mirrored self wishes him well, taking short-term profits |
 This poem is included in Jim Freeman's poetry collection THE SMELL OF TWEED AND TOBACCO available here in print or as an e-Book in your favorite formats. |
