What The Mirror Saw (Poetry)

What the mirror saw
the second before
I switched off the light
was someone else —
a figment of mind-
bewitching night —

a creature with
my face stood where
my image breathed
upon the glass
its wild-eyed stare

froze my blood
my heart alarmed
thumped loud and hard
I couldn’t think
until it calmed

when something in me
recognised
that future self
who lurks beneath
a shadow-skin
disguise.

I know now what
the mirror saw
the moment that
I flicked the switch —
it glimpsed old age —
my-parody-in-waiting
at the door.