Freckles Poem by Frederick Nellist

The face in the mirror my mothers child
Lines contouring the image age defiled
To see my young face I'd stand on a chair
To count the freckles no longer there.

Mirror on the wall is it truth you tell
Is the soft music I hear a tolling bell
The lustre and twinkle gone from my eyes
Are you playing games do I wear a disguise.

The passing of time not been kindly to me
A once familiar reflection I vaguely see
A sight for sore eyes when only eighteen
Absent freckles are no where to be seen.

No flashing white teeth their colour brown
My forehead is wearing a permanent frown
My hair now grey it was once thick and fair
I close my eyes and pretend not to care.

Years happy and sad I never paid much mind
Time swiftly passing, I flowed with the tide
I gaze at the mirror with unwanted despair
Will a freckled face smile if I stand on a chair.