What does a Mirror do?

The sun has set, the sky turned black.

The view through the window is now looking back. 

I see you. Can you see me?   

You have eyes, but can they see?

They say the eyes are windows to the soul.

But when I look into your eyes, looking back into mine, 

my mind sees you, in time 

sees me, the person that you stole.

Are you thinking what I am thinking? Or thinking what you will?

Or are you thinking much at all? Alas,

has your mind become so clear, so empty and so still?

Empty mind. No mind, smooth as glass?

I wish that I could have this buddha’s mind I see. 

Within this glass, you look like me,

perfection in duplicity.

But sorely lacking in humanity.  

You mock me while I am looking out, while you are looking in.

What truths do you hold, that in this glass call home?

The life you claim you take within,

save only what I give you from my own.

When I gaze at my reflection,

I see your silence. I hear myself put words into your mouth.

So soft, almost beneath detection.

A northern whisper heading south.

Do you even have a choice?

Of whom or what appears?

For that alone would free your voice

from beneath your cold veneer. 

Speak to me, my face, with words with great inflection.

Speak to me with words, words of your selection.

Talk to me, enlighten me, give me words of direction.

Let me know that I am real and not a mere reflection.

I see me.  I see you.

But which of us am I talking to?

Do not answer that, but when you do,

are you asking me? Or am I asking you?

Reflections cannot lie,

they do not live; they do not die.

Forever is their nature to reveal what they are shown

but their eyes are blind to what we all have known.

If you look into the eyes, one may well see a spark

but you will never know what truly holds the heart.

Unlike you, unlike me, it can never mourn

or shed its tears with empathy torn.

A mirror is often held aloft,

for qualities it holds true.

But behind those eyes is reverence scoffed.

While silent, it emboldens you.

Is there a soul behind those eyes?

In essence we do realize

in humanity, a soul resides

and who determines truth or lies.

I see you. I see me in the mirror of our lives.

I see the heart, the soul and all that that implies.

I see me. I see you.

And that is all that mirrors do.

—Paul Causey