Seeing Glass
March 4 2008


Funny, what makes us human.
I was always taught it was tools
opposing thumbs
— the hitch-hiker as the apotheosis of man.

And then it was language
— politicians and telemarketers
the direct descendants of Adam.

Or moral philosophy, perhaps;
knowing right from wrong,
that great bulging cortex
rationalizing whatever we fancy.

It turns out to be the mirror, in fact.
That only we can gaze into a still clear pool
and see ourselves,
reaching-in
touching hands
a perfect match;
unsure if we are the half-full glass
or the half-empty.
And acutely aware
of the thinness in which we exist;
each moment, fleeing into the past
and every future fixed.

Because in the mirror, you see yourself alone
self-conscious
naked.
You are amazed at how realistic
surfaces appear,
and wonder what else has you fooled.

And you feel the first flush of fear, as well
— how easily you disappear
the instant the lights go out.