Self-Portrait in Pastels

Self-Portrait in Pastels

A Poem by Sel Whiteley

 



I want to be myself,
that person you dream I can be,
me,
not your neophyte, your disciple.

I remember the knotwork
of ten thousand stitches on a loom
in a crowded, musty room in Tunisia,
where you never went.

 

I wished my cranial nerves
would form the perfect tapestry
not this tangled mess of rich pastels,
Aurora Borealis of beautiful tragedy.

Thoughts would glide down canals
of veins to escape my mouth

like a magician’s infinite ribbons
And you'd be proud of me then.

© 2012 Sel Whiteley


Author's Note

Sel Whiteley
written to explore the theme of inner-self. A poem about how those with SpLDs are so easily used.

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and I am glad to have those guys agree with me!

Posted 11 Years Ago


As the father of an autistic child, the phrase "Aurora Borealis of beautiful tragedy" rings so true, and this is beautiful in its own right.

Posted 11 Years Ago


I'm actually proud to have known you as you are. Why would you want to change? Or is this just a mind trip to tease us?
Never have I been to Tunisia
Tragic?

Posted 11 Years Ago


standing for others, is standing for yourself...it's an ongoing and colossal struggle to be self-emergent...if there's anyone to be honored for that, it's you

Posted 11 Years Ago


The many us. The person we think we are, the person others see and the person we really are. (Bit of tautology there I know) Taking what is right from our experience. This what I take from this tightly constructed write. A plea without self pity. Just the memories that make us whole.

Posted 11 Years Ago



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936 Views
15 Reviews
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Added on October 3, 2012
Last Updated on October 6, 2012

Author

Sel Whiteley
Sel Whiteley

Toulouse, France



About
Peace activist and development worker more..

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