The distinguished David Constantine takes a physical phenomenon (a window in the dark functioning as a mirror) to muse on identity and existence in an original way.
The poem comes from his seventieth birthday collection, Elder (Bloodaxe Books, £9.95).
MIRROR, WINDOW
Before daybreak the window is a black mirror
In which is visible nothing but myself
Looking in. We face each other. He knows
As well as I do what I have in my head
And around the heart. He is not pitiless
Only he cannot help me. I could him.
By looking away at once I could release him
From being on the outside looking in.
I don't, I stare, he stares. It is obvious
We are not good for one another.
I trust he will fade on the crowing of the cock
As he always has and there'll be a world outside
Land, sea and air and some fellow creatures
And I will become invisible to myelf
At a window gratefully looking out.
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