Mirror of Sunlight and a Ruffled Cravat

The golden mirror holds her gaze,
Refracting light in yellow beams—
Her cravat ruffles at the seams,
Amidst the oil-painted haze.

The reflected face is soft and pale,
A ghost behind the glassy rim—
The light is liquid, heavy, dim,
As if to tell a tragic tale.

The blue and white are woven deep,
In the fabric of her heavy coat—
She holds the mirror by the throat,
And stares into the endless sleep.