The Promiscuous Mirror (Tr By Szirtes) Poem by Kinga Fabo

1.
Is it detached or all-forgiving?
We need a passport to get through.
It nods us past in quick succession
Just anyone, no matter who.
I can rely on its detachment
As I move from place to place.
All those languages it masters,
Wherever I dare show my face!
It's no big deal who's looking in it
As it serves its own blind grace.


2
It neither befriends nor breaks up with you.
Though when you're pushed in front of it
Whether you're plain or just plain gorgeous
It frowns and takes the brunt of it.
Could this absolute indifference
Be Absolute? (It takes no joy
In my bare flesh, nor is it bored.)
In all my phases I am simply
What seems to vanish then return,
Part of its cosmic unconcern.


3
The distance is too terrifying.
It could be less but it is clear
some speck of me would still appear.
The mirror will serve us blindly
And whether harshly or quite kindly
Forgets at once. There's little fuss,
Or major choice required for us.
It lets us do just what we want.
Mine drops me quick without a trace.
Mechanically wipes out my face.

(Translated by George Szirtes)