Polished Glass

by Mlle Shiow Jen

In the end whether the mirror is magic or if it answers when asked is only in the mind of the queen. Because she's the one who stands before it each day to ask her question and demands it only give one answer.

Mirror, Mirror . . .

Everyday I look into your polished glass.

. . . on the wall . . .

I take no joy in this. But I have to ask. . .

Who is the fairest of them all?

And you will answer and I will be able to put the need in my heart to rest.

Thou art than all who are here, Lady Queen.

You don't know what it means to have this ache in my chest . . .

But . . .

Please don't say it, this is all I have. I must quiet this need . . .

. . . more beautiful still is Snow White. . .

I know this name. The daughter of my husband's late Queen . . .

. . . as I've seen.

Doesn't matter, I must quiet this need.