I stand in front of this golden gilt mirror admiring the person reflected in it. She is me but better. She has clear skin that you know if you we’re giving the opportunity to touch would feel plush and bounce back to you. Eyes warm pools of chocolate luring you to be lost in them. Dressed in paint splattered oversized light jeans that hang just right on her hips and a butterfly shaped crop top, where the wings grip her shoulders and travel to just under her bust showing a smooth flat stomach. She is surrounded by love. A tattooed man folds his arms gently around her waist drawing the most sensual smile from her lips. And then the image ripples and she is embraced by three beautiful women that I see light pouring into her from and in turn her light pours into them.
The reflection ripples yet again and she is in a large library like I’ve only seen in movies. In front of her, waves of people watch her speak about her lastest book release completely enraptured holding copies of previous books of hers. Of mine? I start to wonder does this mirror show the future. All of my dreams made reality. Then I look at the inscription above the mirror. ‘Mirror of Erised’. And my hope flounders, I know this mirror. I didn’t know it truly existed but I also now know I’m just seeing myself as I wish I was, nothing more.
As I begin to turn I hear a whispered, “hey”. And there she is, the me I wish I was calling me back. “ Just because you don’t have all you wish for now doesn’t mean you won’t,” she says in my voice. “But this mirror doesn’t show the future or even truth, there’s no guarantee in this reflection for me. Just more beautiful daydreams.” “Where do you think reality comes from? This mirror is a tool, a wake up call. You can have everything you see because I do. Because you already are me, you just need to believe it.” I breathe deeply, closing my eyes. With each breath I feel warm. With each breath I feel the love I desire surrounding me, I feel pride at my accomplishments grow with each success I envision. I open my eyes and she is smiling the most radiant smile, glowing from the inside out. I looked down at my arms and realize it’s me that’s glowing, me that’s smiling. And I understand that I am so much closer to her than I ever realized. I look up into the mirror and she is replaced by me. And I couldn’t be happier.