feature image: “Marianna in the South,” J. W. Waterhouse, 1897

Who is that wizened hag peering at me? Face creased, riven; hair all thin and grizzle. Time ravished and shrunken.

Wonder who she was when young? A high-born lady or a low-born lander? How did she make her way in the world to grow so old?

Why does she stare so? I am minding mine own business, and yet there she is watching me as if I a hawk to pounce upon her feral chickens.

I turn from her relentless glare. Look down upon my veined hands, same as reflected in the looking-glass and weep.

reflections for sammi’s weekend writing prompt #235.

wk 235 mirror

Sammi says:

The challenge is simple: each week you will be given an exact number of words you can use to write a poem or piece of prose.  You can use any format or style you like; go wherever your inspiration takes you.  The only rules are these:

  • your poem / prose must contain this week’s word (see note below).  The word does not have to count towards the exact word count total – it can be in the title, or the first letters of the lines of a poem can spell it out – you can be as creative as you want as long as it’s there somewhere.
  • the length of your poem / prose must match the number of words stated in this week’s challenge.  No more.  No less.
  • A note on the word: you can use any variation of the word (for example: call, calls, calling, called etc).  If you find you are struggling to use this week’s word you may substitute it for a synonym – just include a note to explain the swap.  Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

I choose to use the word looking-glass rather than mirror as it seemed to “fit” better.