A Mother's Kiss

A Mother's Kiss

When I look in the mirror
I see my mother’s eyes..
lashes..thick.... Italian.
or even Indian ?
I see countries
stretch out before me
full of eyes

When I look in the mirror
I see my father’s brows
his ears
I have decided that .

When I look in the mirror
I look at everything
each pore... each mark
may tell me something.

In the mirror
I see my skin
sallow like solid creme
enigma skin
prone to freckling
where did it come from ?

A Pauper or a King ?

I have my mother’s lips..
..no doubt of that
..I have the lips of Dali’s
Mae West couch..
I paint them red ..and pink
before a goodnight kiss.

A mother’s kiss ..
a loving kiss
I wish I could remember it..
her kiss
the memory would comfort me
I’m sure of that.

When I look in the mirror
I stare into that glassy flat
I’m in search of ‘Me

I’m looking at the girl
They gave away.
My father is a phantom
mystery
I never knew my mother

When I look in the mirror
I try to find her.

Kristine Byrne
Feb. 2014