reflections lie

reflections lie

a mirror cannot be trusted as to see what to want
adjusting every light the pose and where to focus
a fine patina of the skin rusted solemn faces gaunt
kind shadows softening blows too slight to notice
a photograph ages badly of what there used to be
sharping unseen features exposing delicate flaws
a comparison which sadly shows much too clearly
accompanied by creatures whose lives are paused
a video is simply an old lie projected on our eyes
showing a passing of time disjointed and indistinct
both in sound or silence cry laugh cringe and sigh
as life or death intertwine with reality on the brink
a memory cannot be caught in an individual shape
a new life cannot be bought ends we cannot escape