chima ononogbu
chima ononogbu
Jan 25, 2021

My Portrait

Whose portrait is in this mirror?
Whose face is this bold as a lion,
Translucent as glassy seawater,
But tethered to fragments of broken dreams?

This portrait looks like the one I know,
The one I have known to be mine.
Though I wonder if it is still mine, or a mask of fine yarns.
Or a blend of a world in shades of superficialities.

Though many dreams I have known and lost,
Though many a time broken in the hands of sorrows,
But this portrait I have always been, even now, even later,
So I nourish it tenderly to make a stronger me.

O in this mirror, my portrait stands,
Soft like it has known winter from birth,
Hard like the sun has been its closest companion.
In its strengths as well as its weaknesses, it is truly mine.

It is all my world the world ever sees and touches;
Pasted along the walls of thoughts and memories.
For many things the world will ever become,
It is all the portrait I will always be in the mirror.

About This Poem

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Houston, TX, USA

Favorite Poets: Maya Angelou

More from this author

Comments

Lavender

Beautiful, Chima,
Professional photography has always intrigued me, especially human subjects. Photography captures the depth of a person's character. That is what your poem has done for me. The mirror / portrait tells of your strengths and weaknesses, but mostly reveals your nature and inner character. There is an honest acceptance in being who you truly are.
Thank you,
L

Asche Keegan

I definitely agree with what Lavender said earlier! This feels like a poem that could last as long as a photograph, while simultaneously functioning as a reflection of the self. Your writing quality is superb as always.

I hope you are doing well! :)