Reflection

I am doing

this evening's dishes

wishing grease

from plates

my wife's insisting

on rinsing

singing in my ears

I am distracted

as I hear

the ghost

of our cat

jump from table to floor

in the dining room

I look up to see

my reflection

looking back at me

my other's eyes

shining in the glass

through spectacle lenses

his hands

mine

wrist-deep

in suds

and then beyond

across the yard

the neighbour’s kitchen window

throws back a second image

a more distant double

visible

through

this first

more eyes

peering

for a moment

we are

studying

ourself

twice

if I were able

I would mould the moment

into a metaphysical metaphor

a quizzical exploration

of identity and perspective

a dark seeing through glass

as it is

all it is

is me

washing up

looking at me

washing up

looking at me

washing up