Mirror (1961) Sylvia Plath

This poem is written in the first person from the perspective of the mirror. The mirror states its impartiality. It tells the truth. Most of the time it reflects the opposite wall, which it calls meditating.

The mirror describes the woman who uses it. Its a lake in which youth has been drowned; now the reflection is that of an old woman.

This poem has an immediate impact. We may not like what we see in the mirror. We may vainly yearn to hold onto the beauty of youth. Oh that a static object can evoke such strength of feeling and exert such power seen in the line:

'I am important to her. She comes and goes.'

This speaks of the importance of image and the cult of youth in our society.Youthful beauty is a currency. And when spent up day after day old age has arrived and death will come soon.