A Slow Gaze

I pushed past the heavy fringe of the standing mirror resting near the corner baseboard. Silvered glass met the floor. I stopped. Stood still. In the quiet surface, a dark silhouette mirrored my stance. Slow. Deliberate. I raised one plush paw toward the cold pane. The reflection rose to meet me. Tap. Soft fabric met smooth glass with a muffled hush. No clicks, no gears winding inside. Just the twin round eyes gazing back without blinking. I rested my forehead against the cool reflection, letting the morning stillness wrap around us both.