The Image In The Shattered Mirror

Losing myself in these slower motions
Where my third person only observes
My first person simmers in conflict
And my second person just waits
For my first person to make the first move
Quick collapse and the quick regret
As my physical overwhelmed my sensibility
Trying to capture my reflection
In the pieces of shattered mirror
Now careening across the open spaces
Precarious seconds ticking
The rippling like a mountain stream
Reflections intermingling
Light above me, casting shadows
This broken prismatic artwork hanging
My second person’s new obsession
With a portion trapped in each glassy prison
Lips no longer repeating my every word
The silence oddly comforting
Yet the confusion deafening
Awaiting direction from my third
Standing still, while the terror inside grows
Droplets now of crimson flow
Recapturing the image not so long ago
Before the breakup, before that moment of regret
Fist on glass, shattered mirror
First person breaking, taking aim alone at me
Rhetoric speaks inside my head
Why this need to impresses?
Me, myself, and I
Struggling with this broken mirror
Pieces lost, won’t come together
Blood plays it’s song of silence
Glue perhaps, it drives me down
Injured fist, now injured knees
Fingers bloody, fist is bloody, everything bloody
Life slicing like an open razor
Moment passing, at last understanding
Now forever lost to eternity
Like tiny pieces gone down the drain
Additional Reading
R.J. Schwartz is an American Poet and Author.
His complete works on The Creative Exiles Website can be found here
The Gypsy Thread is a huge collection of his original work
Ralph also writes on HubPages
- When We Lost Control - October 13, 2025
- The Crumbling Space Around Me - October 10, 2025
- Sorrow - October 9, 2025

A Poignant piece Ralph, an explosion of emotions and the regretful consequence, in such slow motion, which you accomplished well with the piece. Great work my friend.
Well done, Ralph. Amazing train of thoughts rapidly expressed and well phrased.
A good study in self-reflection, Ralph. Well penned.
Thanks for the positive words !!