The Other Side of a Mirror I sat before my glass one day…
““The Other Side of a Mirror I sat before my glass one day, And conjured up a vision bare, Unlike the aspects glad and gay, That erst were found reflected there - The vision of a woman, wild With more than womanly despair. Her hair stood back on either side A face bereft of loveliness. It had no envy now to hide What once no man on earth could guess. It formed the thorny aureole Of hard, unsanctified distress. Her lips were open - not a sound Came though the parted lines of red, Whate'er it was, the hideous wound In silence and secret bled. No sigh relieved her speechless woe, She had no voice to speak her dread. And in her lurid eyes there shone The dying flame of life's desire, Made mad because its hope was gone, And kindled at the leaping fire Of jealousy and fierce revenge, And strength that could not change nor tire. Shade of a shadow in the glass, O set the crystal surface free! Pass - as the fairer visions pass - Nor ever more return, to be The ghost of a distracted hour, That heard me whisper: - 'I am she!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker confronts a distorted, anguished reflection of herself, revealing inner turmoil and a loss of identity.
In simple terms: Facing a painful self‑image that shows inner pain.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and release hidden suffering.
Themes
identity
despair
self‑reflection
inner conflict
mental health
Mood
melancholic
introspective
somber
Type
poetic
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- creative writing
- personal journaling
- art therapy
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
self‑image
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of yourself do you hide behind a “mirror”?
- How can you transform anguish into growth?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s gothic tone may romanticize suffering, overlooking paths to healing.