Cocteau's Mirror
by Hillary Lyon


pay no attention to the lamp shade
when it says dance
to the jazzbeat of your blood

pay no attention to the door knob
affectionately nudging your hand
encouraging your weaknesses

pay no attention to the throw rug
as it yips beneath your feet
it only wants to play

but the mirror compels you to look, look
into its long silver eye, the sheet
of mercury, the glass memory

intuit the drive to dip your hand
into the darkly cool air
of the Otherside

don't flinch
when the man/woman pulls you through
his/her grip tight like love

in a slick, black rubber glove






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