The Mirror Held Its Breath

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I found your coat on the back of my chair With my old name stitched inside The mirror held its breath when I came near And wore my face a half-second behind [Pre-Chorus] Your little silver ring was on my hand Though I left it in a drawer last spring I know the room, I know the way I stand So why does every surface disagree? [Chorus] Is that me, or a beautiful fake? The one in the glass with the smile I can’t make She knows every secret I’m trying to hide But her eyes look away when I look inside Is that me, or somebody wearing my shape? [Verse 2] I called my sister; she said, “You sound tired” Then asked why I was speaking so low I watched my mouth move, a beat delayed As if someone else had learned the words I know [Pre-Chorus] I pressed my thumb against the windowpane And felt a pulse beneath the cold If I am still the one who came in here Why does my reflection look so old? [Chorus] Is that me, or a beautiful fake? The one in the glass with the smile I can’t make She knows every secret I’m trying to hide But her eyes look away when I look inside Is that me, or somebody wearing my shape? [Bridge] If I take off the face, will I find my own? If I call out my name, will it answer alone? There’s a seam at the edge where the lamplight falls And a hand on the other side of the wall [Final Chorus] Is that me, or a beautiful fake? The one in the glass with the smile I can’t make I’ll stay till the morning and ask her to speak Maybe the truth is the voice that sounds weak Is that me, or somebody wearing my shape? [Outro] The coat on the chair The ring in the drawer I turn from the mirror Then turn once more