Shadows

I can’t seem to remember.

Is this the first time I’ve looked in the mirror?

Shocked as I am at what I am seeing.

Old man?

Old man, not me,

Can’t be,

Can’t be.

Ahh, I remember,

Yes, I think I remember when once I looked in the mirror.

That’s right.

I think, not too long ago, either.

When I combed my hair into bangs,

 And then,

Into a pompadour.

But not before

I reached into the cabinet,

Second shelf was a glass.

What a bad ass.

Slicked it back with half a bottle of Vitalis

I was cool with the lingo,

Lookin’ like Pacino.

I slicked it and shaped it

I can remember that far back.

But where in the hell did I park my car.

The Cadillac.

Today I can’t remember what lunch I ate.

I can’t recall the people I love

But I have a strange fear of people I hate.

Old man,

Old man,

Can’t be,

Can’t be.

It’s not me I see.

I say,

It’s not me in the mirror today

Jeffrey B. Allen