Once again
I study the lines
on this face,
reflecting–
depending on the angle
both parents appear.
At different
ages both of my
daughters looked
like I did
in those black and white photos
I inherited.
How do we
become who we are?
cells that form
shapes of hands,
a certain transcribed motion–
time in a mirror.
Ammol at dVerse has asked us to write a portrait poem. In the past I’ve done a series of self-portraits in the style of other artists (with poetic accompaniment), but in this case I just took 3 recent drawings in my own style, an occasional morning exercise.
I also like to draw my hands.
K. 
Nice to “see” you, Kerfe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have many manifestations. I doubt you could recognize me in person from any of the portraits, yet they all contain pieces of me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Or is that nice to see “you”?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do love how you can see your ancestors in you… and yourself in your daughters… we should all look for that I feel
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Bjorn. It’s like a momentary overlap of years.
LikeLike
I have that same mirror.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It expands as we get older.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the variations in the portraits. We are different people each day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are. I was thinking that as I looked through my sketchbook. None of them look exactly like me, and yet they all have a resemblance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how one’s parents and children appear in the lines of one’s face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do– thanks Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting subject, Kerfe. It’s fascinating how we can see so many pieces of our parents, grandparents and children in our mirrors. And in my grandson I see everyone – at different times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Betty. It’s a comforting connection.
LikeLike
It’s as much in expression as in physical characteristics, I think. Then once you ‘see’ your mother/father/uncle Billy they are there and that’s all you see.
I think I like the hand best of all. They are so hard to draw a and this is a real hand with sinews muscles and bones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That hand was my right hand drawn with my left. Drawing with the left hand is an interesting exercise…not always this successful.
LikeLike
That is quite a feat (no pun intended)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is certainly interesting to see ourselves and our children. My son Justin looks almost exactly like me in many of his pictures during his youth. I am adopted so I have no sense of what my parents my birth parents looked like so that lineage Is hidden from me. Enjoyed reading this Kerfe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rob. Genetic ties are not our only inheritance, as I’m sure you know.
LikeLike
Those stunning line drawings are an occasional morning exercise? You’re so talented, Kerfe! I love the poem, which makes me feel as if I’m standing behind you looking into the mirror. Many people can all find traces of both parents in their reflections – I see my mother and my maternal grandmother very clearly. Everyone says my daughter looks like me, but I see her father (he left us when she was three). I compared a photo of my grandson with one of me at his age, and he has a similar smile, especially the teeth. The final stanza is perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kim. I’ve been drawing my whole life, although much less when my children were young. I used to draw everyday, and hope to get back to it eventually.
Resemblances are often dependent on context I think. Which is what makes them so interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an interesting reflection — the entire human biology seems extraordinary to me. Your last line is a gem. What makes this poem extra special are these brilliant drawings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ammol. Life is indeed mysterious.
LikeLike
“depending on the angle
both parents appear”
Marvelous, and so true
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
I like your self portraits! ❤️ And your hand sketches! I see more of my parents in my face as I age. My sis looks so like my mom, it surprises me when I see her. Me, I look more like my dad or grandma. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s startling sometimes how resemblances are suddenly there. I’ve been going through old photos and see new connections all the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person