This poem was originally written as ‘Eisoptrophobia’ (the fear of reflection and mirrors.)


Eisoptrophobia

self-reflection is dangerous.
that man pretends to be you
but he knows nothing,

except his left hand knows
what your right’s doing.
his asymmetric face

the obverse of yours,
unknown
to your friends.

he watches you shaving.
flashes his teeth. ejects adolescent
pimples at you.

knows your every flaw.
stares at you long enough
to make you feel guilty.

says good morning, goodnight,
avoids you for most of the day.
pops up in unlikely places.

men’s rooms.
sideways glances from shop windows.
his twisted Andrew Lloyd Webber face

glares back at you from the backs of spoons.
keeping tabs on you.
always mocking.

reminding you daily
of the passage of time.
you wish you were a vampire
so you could be rid of him.


(from Original Clichés
Ginninderra Press
ISBN-10: 1760411272
ISBN-13: 978-1760411275