I am not light.
I will not claim
an inner glow.
I will not lie about my flame —
what light I throw
is not my own,
and my name and form
when clarified
are best defined
as reflection alone.

This is no shame.

I am the mirror,
always. Even when covered
the possibility of blinding shine
is always present and ever ready.
I have slaved and silvered myself for
years and years
to be prepared for whenever
the Ray strikes. 

Do not implore me
to let my inner fire roar,
to crack my glass
so those before me
may see by my
illumination —
the same Light
strikes us all. It falls
upon each of us. 
All it takes
to throw it back
into the Dark that’s all around
is a little polish, a little
spit and shine: this Light is ours,
not mine,

and I will not lie
and claim it for my own.