"The Mirror"
by S K Dapoz

Taken by kind permission from Father's On-Line Library.

A gift arrived in my chamber, sweet,
as unexpectedly as your love,
and I could not quite believe it.

Happily guessing at possibilities,
I ran slow hands over the smooth cover
and felt the hard oval shape beneath my fingertips.

At last unable (deliciously) to wait longer,
I whisked the concealment off
and turned to view my fate:
a mirror.

I held my breath and stepped before
  its silvered space
and saw that I was beautiful...
  so beautiful...
because I saw your face.

About the Author

S. K. Dapoz has been writing poetry and nonfiction for twenty-five years. Beauty and the Beast has been her first foray into fiction. She has written and edited several fanzines, including the Queen's Knight series, and "All Things are Possible with Love," rated a four in the Q-fer. She owns a small desktop publishing company, Purple Rose Press, and publishes a yearly poetry anthology composed of poetry by Baha'is, as well as poetry chapbooks by established writers. Purple Rose Press also accepts freelance graphics and editing assignments. She is also a software specialist at the Indiana University School of Business in Indianapolis. For information about 'zines or freelance desktop/graphic or publishing rates, SASE to: S. K. Dapoz, 815 N. Broadway, Greenfield, IN 46140, or email: SDAPOZ@INDYVAX.IUPUI.EDU