
Self-Portrait Aged 20 – on Black Scraperboard: WHB
Is this a selfie
I see before me?
Is this reflected
In my story?
Mirror mirror
Please tell me now
I am lovely
Take a bow
Am I vain
Or am I boring
Just look at me
My ego’s soaring
Go to blazes
Tell me why
They say that I’m
Pie in the sky
And when I try
To look my best
I do not doubt
That I am blessed
But all’s a mirage
Tempting fate
Wonky nose
And wobbly gait
To have a visage
Worth a look
I’d completely empty
My cheque book
Not quite Helen
Who launched those ships
More like my own
Apocalypse
My face my fortune
Some will say
I’d swap for handsome
Any day
Stop pulling faces
They all said
But it’s quite normal
I’m thoroughbred
At least I look
As though I mean it
Unlike some
I don’t demean it
Because I feel
I have no guile
Doesn’t mean
I’m mean and facile
But all is not
Quite what it seems
For what I see
Is in my dreams
And I can tell
Just looking at me
My face is all
That it can be
I know I’m right
As I should be
I really am
The me I see

Self-Portrait Aged 20 – Negative of Black Scraperboard: WHB