I pause for a second,
to admire my work,
a smile flickers, then disappears
on my reflected lips,
whose temporarily upturned corners
I don't recognise.

I'm almost finished now,
as my reflection stares back at me
sullen, white and concealed
except for my eyes
deep and soulless,
darkly outlined, defensive,
emotionless.

This is me,
my mask
to cover up the old face.
The open,
wide-eyed,
carefree spirit
of a withdrawn,
glaring,
haunted stranger.