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Looking Too Long Into the Mirror
by Ken HarnischSome will worship you;
I, alas, cannot.
We are of the same tribe
Survivors who take
Yet long to be taken
In secret accord,
Wanting to give that which
We fear losing the most
We are our own worst enemies
Guardians of hearts long savaged
And unable to believe in the
Purity of anything
All have a price;
All pay tribute
To a cynical god
Whose cigar burns brightly
In rooms full of poker players
Exhaling the obscene smoke of compromise
Ah, how you touched me!
Winding your way
Through the maze into the
Garden. And how I loved and feared
You for your intrepidity!
And…how I long for you
Because of it!
Such is the effect
I have on you
And you on me
We adore and yearn
And are afraid, two like
Beings in a universe of discord
And disassembly
So damned honest with each other!
Shadows on a wall
That sees no light flaming
From candles of our own
Because you know me so
I cannot walk away
Nor can you ignore my entreaties
That you stay, while both of
Us puzzle over the consequence
Of looking too long in the
Mirror, not surprised at what we find 07/27/2006 Posted on 01/25/2008
Copyright © 2024 Ken Harnisch
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 01/25/08 at 04:46 PM The long considered insight of this has congealed into perfect expression, the poem like a mirror itself of the understanding you've expressed here of the two. Phrases bloom into satisfying encapsulation, give the sense of long experience, consideration. Also the sense of "about to happen" is very strong... one wonders how long that poise, that almost can stand on the edge... and yet the power is of it! Every stanza has lines that have a finality, a succinct psychological wonder. In my favorites! |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 01/25/08 at 05:29 PM I'm not sure what to add to Kathleen's comments. There is such a depth of experience here, of observation of imperfections but commonality. Stanza 3 is my favorite, but the ending is so strong. |
| Posted by Elizabeth Shaw on 01/25/08 at 07:42 PM this time piece speaks in earthy tones - its looking glass worthy of passing up and down for generations. thanks |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 01/25/08 at 08:04 PM I'll second (or third) what's been said above, and add that I enjoyed this very much. Thanks. |
| Posted by Laura Doom on 01/26/08 at 01:49 AM I found this quite unnerving, for reasons I find hard to articulate. A delivery redolent with passionate detachment, remote familiarity? Anyway, a favourite, period. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 01/26/08 at 06:37 PM IMHO One of your all time greatest poems Ken...and I've read a lot of your work over the years. A friend of mine (now dearly departed) once said that any given poet will truly probably only memebered for two or three poems. I don't want to cast premature judgement on your progress, but I would say that for you this is one of those poems. |
| Posted by Lauren Singer on 01/27/08 at 10:27 PM i agree completely with chris. this is one of your masterwork's and i am awed by the truth, description, and clarity at which it begs to be read. a perfect, perfect poem. |
| Posted by Melissa Arel on 01/29/08 at 07:19 PM Ditto ;o) Excellent work Ken, as always. |
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