The Mirror's Defense

 "Mirror, Mirror, tell us, what do you see?"

I see the truth of each human being. 

I see their flaws and perfections clearly:

I see them desperate, confused and lonely.

I see the joy and laughing lines,

I see whatever may hide in their eyes.

My gaze is termed magical, illusive,

(To say nothing less than intrusive.)

And some claim I'm a pawn of destruction;

A happy witness to the deaths of hundreds.

But, to admit guilt on that charge would be perjury 

So here and now I plead for you to listen to me!

 "State your case quickly fiend."

I'm naught but, a tool made by beauty;

You sought to be immortals and see yourselves perfectly.

So craft smiths strove to build an equal vessel; Me.  

Yet, when my glass was looked through, 

Your peaceful innocence was removed.

As each flaw became apparent your appearance became horrid

  And naturally, you were disordered.

 Colors once worn in pride cast out in droves,

Powders applied to ev'ry nose:

Deepened lips, tighten waists, 

Burning hair, priceless lace 

 You craved nothing but the finest tastes! 

Decades into century your obsession with me grew

Buying colors, eating air, trying tricks old and new 

Reciting "No Pain, No Gain, I can't lose!

(But with each passing fad my disturbance only grew.)

 And so the years passed in that state, leading here

 Where coy smiles of false cheer 

Cover miles of mascara tears.

In the end, the choice has been yours, not mine,

You're mind created these monstrous deities' over time.

I've been a bystander innocent and helpless to aid you

To reveal the lies and truth inside all of you.

And now the stories rest with me alone

How humanity lost themselves in beauty's glow

Becoming slaves to her poisoned show.

I've done my job, I'm naught but a tool

Humanity's creation of me was fool.

With this last plea, my discourse ends,

Don't believe the promised allure of beauty my friends!