Phone call

“Do you remember – years ago – “ he said,
“We met up in some bookshop. I was with
 my sister. She was quite impressed with you –
 said you had a gentleness, an air
 of understanding – and a lovely voice.”

“ That’s nice,” I said, yet knowing as I spoke
 I had no memory of that day at all.
 It wasn’t me they’d met.

The conversation ended, but he stayed,
 my doppelganger – kindly, gentle, calm –
 the kind of man I once hoped I’d become.

I look for him each morning in the mirror
and sometimes catch a glimpse,
but then he’s gone.