The Mirror Of My Mind

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The Mirror Of My Mind

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As I gaze into the mirror of my mind,

Which reflects of memories far behind,

I see the images of bygone dreams;

To my dismay, it somehow seems

That neither present nor future matter

When that mirror begins to shatter.

~

Because of the frequent reflections,

I visualize my life in small sections;

But if only that mirror's face

Somehow I could simply erase,

Allowing my eyes to see the future

And then perhaps, I'd feel secure.

~

But if I were able to see that yet to come,

Could I accept the knowledge and succumb

To the inevitable fate I've yet to live?

Would I take more than I want to give?

I might not like that which for me lies ahead

And so choose to atone for the past instead.

~

Were it I could but grasp my very heart,

I'd hurl it, shattering that mirror apart!

For if I can't see what lies ahead,

Why must I have reason to dread?

You see, the past is just a broken leg,

And I'm immune to the future's plague.

~

( November 28, 1969 Aboard U.S.S Warrington (DD-843) at sea off Portugal)

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No.240