Alone

As I walked alone I saw
A shop that wasn't there before
Here, just opposite the park
A quaint old place, strange and dark
I gingerly opened the door
Couldn't even see the floor
For piled on high all kinds of stock
Decaying, dusty, my path was blocked
But in the corner just in sight
A mirror, reflecting precious light
I picked my way across the shop
And at the mirror I did stop
Of staff the place seemed bereft
I very nearly turned and left
Then like something from the dead
Out of the gloom, shopkeeper said
A magical mirror, the very best
Quite unlike all the rest
It's a very special thing
Makes song fly and hearts sing
You should gaze upon its glass
Opportunity you mustn't pass
But before you do heed my advice
Be sure that you can pay the price
For if you choose to step inside
In its reflection you'll reside
I heard his words but didn't listen
The mirrors surface seemed to glisten
So, tentative, I looked around
Drew a breath, there was no sound
And then at just gone half past nine
I stepped into the mirrors shine
Opened up my eyes and saw
Everything that was there before
Looked back, it was all the same
Is this trickery, a game?
I walked forward from the shop
Got outside and then I stopped
Saw a paper floating by
Poverty ends! the front page cry
I picked it up, started to read
Of other miraculous deeds
No war, no hunger, no superpowers
No class divide, no ivory towers
The greenest green and bluest blue
It was just too good to be true
Astonished could it really be
The mirrors power I could see
The sun was out there was no rain
No hopes or aspersions down the drain
What a really wondrous place
To be a part of the human race
Smiling, made my way to where
My home should be. No longer there
But in its place a rusting dome
Covering the space that once was home
I felt confused, alone, forlorn
I couldn't think but then it dawned
The mirror had turned all on its head
I didn't work nor was I wed
Everyone I ever knew
Had simply ceased to exist too
Panicking, ran to the shop
To see if I could make it stop
Went inside thru open door
Shopkeeper was there no more
Trembling, then finally, at last
I took my step into the glass
It shattered all across the floor
The world I came from was no more
Shocked, couldn't believe my eyes
Then began to realise
Destined to spend a life alone
In a place so far from home
So now my time is filled with pain
Never see reality again
All its promise, the mirror lied
The grass is never greener on the other side