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PORTRAIT (Living Poetry)

by Melissa Arel



You'll never really understand me you know..
You can try if you want,
but I'm an intricate piece of art
where there's really no leveled commonground
in which viewers can stand and study every line
or brushstroke that blends in
with the meticulous imagery
trying to be conveyed by the Painter.

To some, I look like a work of Monet
and others - Picasso.

My complexities magnify themselves
in the spotlight
whether through the eyes of an elderly man with cataracts
or a 7- year old child with an intuitive imagination.

If you stand too close your perception is limited, hazy
but glance at the masterpiece from the back of the room
and you can see the big picture.
Ahh, now the intent is more evident
and the textured canvas of color is clearer.
Now how do you see me?

A collage of chalk and charcoal,
oil paints and acrylic,
crayons and colored pencils,
pen ink and pencil lead -
All elements used on one girl.

But its not yet finished you see.
The work that has started is just beginning,
just beginning in me and everything is undone;
sort of waiting for the grand unveiling
of the finished portrait,
perfected by the Artist's hand,
gazed upon by the Artist's eyes,
touched by the Artist's fingers.

So, for now don't hold your breath.
But expect to marvel at a finished painting
of breathing, living poetry.

11/11/2000

Author's Note: written four years ago.. for some reason i don't think its as good as i thought it was when i wrote it.. any thoughts?

Posted on 09/02/2004
Copyright © 2024 Melissa Arel

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Ken Harnisch on 09/02/04 at 06:04 PM

it is not as good...Knowing what I know i suggest it is BETTER, sublme as the colors used to paint it and right on!

Posted by Kenneth Lau on 09/03/04 at 02:04 AM

I really like it, it doesn't have the feel of immature writer or anything, if that's what you were afraid of (I sometimes am with my old stuff). It's really engaging and interesting and quite beautiful.

Posted by Christina Bruno on 09/05/04 at 07:20 PM

this is totally cool, ilove the portrait you have "painted"

Posted by George Hoerner on 08/09/17 at 07:10 PM

I enjoyed your reference to 'other arts' in this poem. I do believe there is a connection between all creative activities. Obviously more in some than others. Many years ago I used to collect 'German Expressionist graphics and had at least one of each of the more important artists from the late 1800's to the time Hitler came to power winch of course about the time most fled to other counties. Take George.

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