Mirror Mirror
written by: Andrea Walker
Christmas was just round the corner
And not a penny was spare
No gifts, no tree, no turkey
The cupboard was literally bare
She fretted throughout December
How would she make this right
Provide what her family expected
A season all merry and bright
One day a pawn shop enticed her
And a mirror she found herself buying
What in the world had possessed her
She spent the walk home crying
She hung the mirror in the hallway
It really was a gothic monstrosity
Yet she felt compelled to stare into it
Her mind filled with curiosity
The light in the hallway was too dim
So a candle she brought to use
It illuminated her fretful reflection
At which she began to peruse
Suddenly she gasped in shock
For her face, it had started to change
Her eyes were now brown and not blue
Her hair looked much shorter and strange
She shrieked as she heard in her head
A deep rich voice start to speak
If you help me escape from this mirror
By Christmas you’ll have everything you need
She couldn’t resist this offer
For the Yule was all but here
Listened as he regaled an incantation
The instructions seemed simple and clear
Once done I’ll be free forever he cried
I have money, fear not I’m no liar
It won’t take you long to perform it
Then you can have whatever you desire
So she assembled the things he’d requested
And at the stroke of midnight on this, a full moon
She chanted and twirled and sang
Until she felt herself suddenly swoon
She’d left a list of her longings
Toys for her babies and the like
Everything to make the perfect Christmas
She just hoped he’d still see her right
When she awoke later that morning
Everything seemed dark and distant
She peered into the mirror again
And realised her mistake in an instant
There was now a tree in her parlour
Festooned with candles and holly
Gaily wrapped gifts lay beneath it
The room looked festive and jolly
But she couldn’t get closer to see
In fact she seemed trapped in this place
Staring out the wrong side of the mirror
With her deathly white anguished face
He’d tricked her the scoundrel, the rogue
Escaped and trapped her in the mirror instead
And as she heard them call her name
She surmised, they’d assume she was dead
How long will I stay here, she dithered
She tried to knock, bang and scream
Pinched herself till she bruised
Hoping it was all just a dream
But alas her reality was final
No escape did she ever make
The mirror was removed very quickly
Once they’d held her tragic wake
It’s been over a century since that time
Of her family, nobody is left
Every Christmas Eve she searches
Failing to find a victim, feels bereft
You see the mirror lies in an old antique shop
Hidden from public sight out the back
As the owner feels somehow wary of it
So, he covers it in an old sack
Yet still she sits and waits for release
Singing old Christmas carols, of her era
And the moral of this sorry saga?
Be very careful when buying an old mirror…
- Mirror Mirror - December 1, 2024
- The Witch’s Ball - October 27, 2024
- The Ocean Lies Within Me - August 19, 2024
