The Vanity of Beautiful Ladies
The Mirror’s Reply to the Wicked Queen: Ageing, Youth, and True Inner Grace
“Mirror, mirror on the wall!
Who is the fairest of us all?”
The wicked Queen’s voice rang out.
Self-praise is no honour, there’s no doubt.
The voice replied “My Queen, my Queen
You’ve asked me that for many years –
Thinkest thou that beauty forever lasts –
No point in yearning for the Bird of Youth –
Or shedding tears.
For all grow old and all must die
Think you that beauty may forever lie
With only you, and with none other –
My Queen, wake up and me, never bother!
The world is full of people whom
Imagine their youth always abloom
Who live in the realm of self-deceit
Regarding looks from head to feet.
True beauty lies in being true
That beauty lies inside of you
No make-up, or treatment, beauty can stay
The Bird of Youth must fly away.
Now meditate upon this advice
Which at first glance may sound not nice,
If, growing old no-one would allow,
We’d all be packed like sardines by now!”
The Shady River Bard Creative Ecosystem
Trevor Swistchew's poetry and philosophical essays are published in fellowship with The Shady River Bard—exploring a 26-album concept discography, working permaculture, and reflections on human purpose.