ever since I was a little girl
I never liked the way I looked
in my grandmother's mirror
no matter what the angle
unflattered and unfettered
me
I could never meet her gaze
until today
the first visit just
grandmother and I
after grandfather's passing
we make eye contact
reflection & I, we
hold steady the gaze
we are different people
now
reflection & I, we
hold the hands of ache and age
not the other way
around
and the mirror speaks it
back and forth
a woman who meets her own gaze
a woman who meets the gaze of life
