through silver-backed glass
she stares into fog
the face pale and fragile
the eyes earth blue and haunted
crimson lips tremble with cold
there are no answers to the questions she asks
at least none that would not take a lifetime to explain
she lives by rules that serve her well
except when they destroy her completely
trust once betrayed is not given twice
and once struck, "sorry will never suffice"
the image she reflects is nothing all at once
and everything over time
and still she stares
as if trying to pick the truth out of the fog