Today, br I saw someone in my mirror br with distressed look, br tired face br and strange reflections br What floored me was, br he appeared like me br I have followed him for years br He has seen me off every morning br beckoning hands in expectation br He has greeted me with smile, br and essayed to wash away br the mournfulness br & the feeling of failures br br Ain't it the same mirror, br hanging on the wall mutely, br always showing my reflections? br For years, br I have witnessed a beaming face in it br someone with whom, br I have shared all my felicities br and the moments of despair br I have felt in him, br all my gratifications & anxieties br But, his face looked strange today br seems, br the mirror has kiboshed showing br my contemplations br Though, a sculpture still appears inside, br why can't I see into his eyes today? br br I contemplated once again br Why I see myself as an alien today? br Is it because of, br The selfishness that forced me br to sacrifice the moral values? br or the laziness that encouraged me br to shy away from social responsibilities? br or the foolishness that inspired me br to compromise my principles? br or the carelessness that impelled me br to disobey the spiritual notions? br br Something has changed for sure br I don't know, br what caused change in me? br I ask the stranger in the mirror br Is it only me? br If I have changed, br so has the rest of world! br why should I feel embarrassed? br The stranger reacted impotently, br 'If you have no courage to see a mirror, br how can you stand tall among others? 'br br Deependra Kumar Jhabr br