WINNER OF THE 2016 POETRY THE MARJORIE McINTOSH/GARY E. MILLER PRIZE

HER IMAGE
She looked in the mirror,
And what did she see?
An ugly old woman,
Who could not be she!

She peered ‘neath the wrinkles,
Then what did she see?
A pretty young woman,
Who used to be she!

She looked deep inside her,
And what did she find?
A woman, not ancient;
Young spirit, young mind.
She looked in the mirror,

This time with a smile,
Erasing the frown lines.
She still could beguile!

HIS IMAGE
He looked in the mirror,
And saw there, Old Age;
A long journey’s ending;
The very last stage.

He peered ‘neath the wrinkles,
And then he could see,
A slim, vibrant athlete.
Who used to be he!
He looked deep inside him,

And what did he see?
A young knight in armour,
Still youthful and free.
He looked in the mirror,

And this time he smiled.
“A bright Golden-Oldie!”
He felt reconciled.

THEIR IMAGE
Together they looked at
Their mirrored reflection;
Two faces grown older;
An archive collection!

Embodied in crystal,
A portrait quite sweet,
Of two ageless people,
Whose lives were complete.