Hello

This part of the poem caught my attention:

"It is not happiness at all,
But light cast off from others--
A reflection of the sun,
In the mirror that is me."

--- if you are the mirror and the mirror reflects the light... And if the light is the happiness, then you know the light does not come from within you but from others... and you (the narrator) is only reflecting it, hence, the happiness is only temporary because it doesn't come from you( the narrator in the poem).

I don't understand the title "fading mirror". Can the mirror fade ? I can only think of the mirror shattering with the realization that the happiness is temporary and that he/she is only reflecting the light from others rather than the mirror fading. Perhaps, what is fading is the reflection?

Nice poem. Sorry for my ramblings. Welcome to poems and quotes.

Indeed, we fear change. I love how you mentioned and questioned this happiness. I think we all search for that eternal happiness, not just a temporary mood lifter or "fix". But that light from others affects us, and that last line makes me think of seeing the light in you. That you can reflect your light to others like the sun.

Keep writing!