We found it at a shop 
shoved in a corner
behind an art deco bureau
and a faux Tiffany lamp
An ornate mahogany frame
covered in a film of dust
the beveled silver surface
foxing from the ravage of time
A timeless beauty enriched 
by flaws that hinted 
of faces and situations
it reflected through the years
The shop owner frowned
his face pallid and dour
as he roughed the scruff
beneath his chin
You don’t want that one
It’s ruint an’ ugly
besides, it’s noisy
an weighs more an ma wife
He begrudgingly sold it
but with a stern warning
of no exchanges
and no returns
We brought it home
excited to see it hang
on the blank wall
next to the stone fireplace
Later that night
we were awakened
by the sound of music
Como’s Papa Loves Mambo
We jumped from the bed
and ran to the source
astonished to see
a party in full swing
Rocks glasses clinking
cigarette smoke wafting
as more guests arrived
laughing and yelling
Waving cheerful greetings
as they stepped through 
the beveled silver surface
foxing from the ravage of time
They partied til dawn
then left whence they came
but returned nightly
to continue the soiree
One guest in particular
looked eerily familiar
as he roughed the scruff
beneath his chin
He smiled broadly
and reminded us
of no exchanges 
and no returns