Empire

Empire #4: Mirror

54 Empire #4 Mirror The sun’s reflection in a bucket of water just before a sparrow plunges headfirst, its thirst breaking the light into bits. Hephaestus knew this was enough. That we wouldn’t like our noses, those bumps along the chin, thin spear of hair calling us widows, crevasses along the eyes. Why repeat them? Did he think upon reflection we wouldn’t select? Did he believe we would see smile and frown as round gestures cradling the invisible—to feel—? The tall mirror inlaid in the hallway never cracked. You can see it if you visit Versailles. Polished metal, the echoes in the glaze are ways to become a stranger again and again. At the dressing table, one hand in the dim light reaches as trains rush through tunnels under the city. One hand and then the other gather hair away from the neck. I can’t see you anymore, we say, I’m seeing someone else. ...