My Face
Here's a poem I did in January of 2001. I think it pretty accurately describes my face... what do you think?
"My Face"
It's kind of like those questions
Like we used to have to write, you know,
The little one and a half paragraph essays
On back in middle school…
"Describe your face,"
They would say, as if it was so easy.
My eyes jump out, being the strongest feature,
Or so I've been told, and I'm also told that
"The eyes are the windows to the soul"
So gloriously put.
What do mine show, I wonder?
Are they the things I hope they show?
Compassion and warmth,
And an intensity tempered by playfulness?
Or does it show a sometimes headstrong
Little boy, often lost in a sea of grown-ups?
Some of the kids I used to work with used to say
My cheeks were like "Michaelangelo's,"
You know, the Ninja Turtle?
Or like the little Beanie Baby,
Simply called "Congo."
(He was a big ape.)
My nose is thick and round,
Almost a caricature of Ole' Saint Nick's.
My lips just as thick, also vying for
A position on Santa's face!
My ears stick out, two handles that
Can be gripped.
I'm told my face has my mother's softness,
Her tender touch,
And that it has my Father's gruffness,
The smile below the surface.
Would I trade it away?
Not a chance.