Dorian Gray, paint me
like your picture.
Use red,
but not on canvas…
red lipstick on a mirror,
instead.
My reflection pushes me…
Years ago, I pushed back,
right palm against the glass,
instant spiderweb-cracks
crawled from its center mass.
But, you should know
that your red will blend
perfectly with the
blood I left on its edges,
long dried and long ago.
Once you’ve drawn me,
I will hold my mirror-picture
dear. For when I look upon it,
I’ll know there’s everything to fear,
because Dorian painted
a shattered red mirror
of insanity;
a battle fought
through bitter tears.
Only a few small pieces
have fallen out over the years,
but I’m concerned that eventually,
the insane Dorian-Creature
will reach through the hole…
(Gods, he’s pulling!)
to pull me near.
Soon, maybe never, I’ll be
shredded by the glass,
losing the reflection that is me,
and allowing the Dorian-Thing
to be what he wants…
on the other side,
hungry and free,
at last.
©️ Obol, 2018-2019.
From the old Replete with Stars blog.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, by the magnificent Oscar Wilde, was published in 1890.
