2 Poems (interwoven): P1 Portrait; P2 Selfie

A prelude: perhaps since time immemorial, we've been eager to project an image of flawlessness to one another - we're afraid of displaying weakness. How weird, strange, scared and angry we are...

Portraits are people,    P1
and people have personalities 

And the gilded frames,

all those layers of paint 

Are there to whisper an essence 

Leaving many songs 

unsung 

--

The courtly grandeur, masks,   P2

weeping deeply into 

the bag of fries from McDonald's

Because the text message

on your $400 iPhone 

says it's over

And your makeup stains the serviette 

Embroidered monogram - the gold

of the frame

-- 

Selfie. 

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A $400 phone seems more of a status symbol than a necessity and some people treat their mates as such; trophy wives and toys become obsessions; possessions to be coveted and admired by others. Like so many things in life, it becomes fodder to semantics and perspective. The things I value most are free but I would not sell or trade them at any cost. The poor often have more gratitude for their existence and survival than the "rich" which, in turn, makes them more generous and giving. It seems an awful irony that those who have the least are the same ones prepared to give the most to others but it is often the case. What is for show and what is worthwhile? We should probably choose our endeavors with the consequences or rewards in mind. Great write. I enjoyed.

[Thomas Emile Vaughen]

As always Fabian, I'm extremely grateful for the review. 'What is for show and what is worthwhile?' I think it would do us all much good to set aside a little time each day to meditate on exactly this subject. As our lives become saturated with things, and we begin to conflate what we have with what we are, I feel that we're truly at risk of losing part of what it means to be human if we can't formulate some sort of answer.