Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

I’m walking towards myself
                                                          in the plate glass mirror
my image overlaying
                                                          pre-cast plastic
women who cannot see me –
                                                          consummate models who
                                                                                   never need
cosmetic surgery
                                                          whatever they’re displaying
is wasted on me
I don’t take it in
distracted by the reflection
I cannot see                                      what’s behind

though I know                                   it must be chic – 
                                                          striking attitudes
                                                          conquering an air
                                                          too thin to breathe

I’m a crab                                          approaching sideways

I cannot bear to look
my age in the face
so when I see                                   a younger woman

walking beside me                            in the glass

so much shorter than                       the faceless figure 
                                                         so much thinner than

I am…                                                me
                                                          I recognise myself
the older woman                               –walking beside me
a stranger keeping pace

                         Our paths merge

                                                         she disappears
through sliding glass                   
a spectre                                          absorbed by the crowds 
                                                         projected onto static 
                                                         window space
             behind the mannequins