If I take in a breath
Hold it
Feel it inside swirling and sinking
Filling and draining me at the same time
And then let go, let it out
The hopes and secret desires
Things left unsaid.
Would they be granted? Would they be heard?
I decide to try, how hard can it be?
And then... I pause
Wings break, horses run lame (if they show up at all)
There are still dragons, and towers, and frankly
My hair is much too short to be of any use.
I turn away
But the something catches my eye
Candlelight flickering in the glass to my right
The mirror- it calls to me with its siren's song
I'm captivated by its gilt,
Frightened by its darkness
Yet intrigued by a smile
I lean in
Straining to hear the sweet sounds
Peering in and catching glimpses of hundreds of points of light
I'm tipsy and should step back
Catch my breath
Steady myself
But I'm hypnotized, caught in the spell
Oh... the prize
Like the brass ring on a carousel
I stretch out my hand
And tumble
Head over heels
Heels over head
What have I done?
Hanging just out of reach