819-822: Riddles for A Labyrinth

Mirror of Childhood - Xildi

I am a mirror telling you your past—

or what I think your past would think of you—

would that bright, bold, and brave child stand fast,

now that all of her high hopes you outgrew?

She wanted—what was it again? Do say:

what did that little one dream all about?

If you can tell me, I will pave your way,

but if you can’t, I’ll have to shut you out.

So take a look: see what you’ve left behind,

and tell her everything she’d want to hear:

but tell no lie, or else you may well find

your way forward or backward far from here.

She’s waiting for you now—looking right back

at what you’ve won for her, or what you lack.

Mirror of Kinship - Balthazar

I am a mirror telling you your kin,

or what I think your kin would look like now—

would they like all your dives and runnings-in?

Or would they want to have a well-earned row?

I cannot know. But look close—see and say…

what is it that your brother thinks about?

If you can tell me, I will pave your way,

but if you can’t, I’ll have to shut you out.

I wonder if he likes the looks of you,

now that you are all hooded and withdrawn.

But who am I to say? What would he do

if, not in kind, but in truth he looked on?

I may not be a mirror, but a door.

Though that’s for you to ponder and to pore..

Mirror of Identity - Val

It’s you inside this mirror! Or is it?

Take a close look—she’s perfect, isn’t she!

See how she takes on every jot and whit

of what you want to be, and not to be?

You’ll see it if you try: come now, and say

if this is what you’ve tried to bring about…

If you can tell me, I will pave your way,

but if you can’t, I’ll have to shut you out.

Ah—now you see it: is it future? Yes—

that is, if you can choose it. What if not?

This perfect version may not, I confess,

be anything your future will have got.

And can you live with it? Now, seeing so,

the you you’d give up anything to know?

Mirror of Choice - Barley/Triage

Now what to do with you? What now with two?

Do I do both at once? This is quite new…

But that’s too many people to pursue.

I’ll give the mirror’s decision to you.

So tell me, which do you see? Go on.. say,

I’d love to hear what you will bring about.

If you can tell me, I will pave your way,

but if you can’t, I’ll have to shut you out.

But be you warned: there is a price with this,

depending on your choices as of late.

The freedom of your future you may miss:

for, I’ve not said it yet, but I am fate.

But I digress. Which of you do you choose?

Which of you do you risk, perhaps, to lose?