Self Portrait

Nose and eyes speak Italy

pale skin of Ireland…

I see my father’s face,

my grandmother’s,

looking back at me, and wonder

how far back do these features go?

 

Atop my head are chestnut strands

that seem to have won

second place ~

I wear the silver with pride

 

Laugh lines tell favorite parts

of my story,

while darker chapters lurk

beneath my eyes,

framed by ever-present specs ~

the better to see, I suppose…

 

And though I am not at all graceful,

in my eyes I seek ~

as my soul holds on to the promise

of grace…

Author's Note

For Angi's self portrait contest.

captcha: snuzzle :)

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

nice job..tracing the past; bracing the end...your laughter predominates...dont want to see one ounce of pain in those eyes...last verse is a nice turn from physical to the spirit...and grace we shall behold says i..
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, E - I turn toward joy whenever possible; it's kept much of the darkness away...

[Einstein Noodle]

love and peace and flowers to you...
E.

[OTownPete]

Time and turmoil have changed my features so radically that when I pass a mirror I think I'm seeing a stranger. Your friend in words, Pete

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, I know that feeling, Pete - but as long as I still see my father's eyes, I know who I am... Thanks!

[Angel]

Beautiful. I feel like I know this lovely woman...she is someone I am proud to call my friend.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you for your sweet words and friendship, Angel! :)

[Sheila Kline]

Oh, I just adore it and I love who you are! Your words allow me to gain a better understanding of you aside from just a photograph! And, I also would like to reach out and give your doggie a big hug!!
Terrific write made so by "YOU"!

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Thank you, Sheila! This was a fun one to write; I enjoy Angi's challenges - she always gets us to dig deep! My dog would love a hug - but I warn you, you will be covered in slobbery kisses!

[Sheila Kline]

Okay by me..........I could never have enough slobbery doggie kisses......lol

[The Nude Writer]

Beautiful :) I love who you are and you have written is so well :)

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Thank you, Sophie!

[The Nude Writer]

PS.. Puppy!!! =D hehe. I love dogs

[rutherford]

Honest and engaging. I especially enjoyed the opening stanza that refers to your heritage with the best line of all--"how far back do these features go?" A question that we've all thought about. Makes me think of all the stories of all our ancestors before us. We all have a story and you tell yours eloquently in this small space. Hope you win.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, John. I look at photographs of my grandmother at my age - it's eerie how alike we look. And I was lucky to hear many of her stories...

[SyberRose]

Enjoyed reading Rita...nicely done indeed and loved the photo...loved from beginning to end...Rose

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rose - so glad you liked this glimpse of me!

[redflutterby]

Snuzzle?? Lol.....;-))

I love every part of this but the last stanza is my absolute favorite!! You've captured the beauty of you so wonderfully in this!! ;-)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Red! You are too kind.
I had to giggle at the word "snuzzle" - :) We should try putting all the weird captcha words into a poem...

[wordwarrior]

A beautifully expressed self portrait. I have read another in this contest and think it will be a bear to judge!
I love the softness of this and the ending. We all search for that inner grace.
Best wishes to you

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you very much, wordwarrior - truly appreciate your words!

[Tom]

A sweet aperitif to begin then a most sensuous main course, followed by a surreptitiously splendid dessert!

An aura of delicious delights within your self penned description, can I have seconds please ?

[Rita L. Sev]

Well, thank you, Tom - so glad you enjoyed this small serving... :)