Each morn,
as dawn scratches
nighttime skin of sky
she sits
afore vanity’s mirror;
pots of paint,
brushes of an
artisan
await her
pleasure
to paint upon
blank canvas;
sketch with charcoal nub
eyebrows
arched or furrowed
eyes wide with
wonderment; by times
tear-damp
flash green specked gold
with envy and with greed; or
obsidian reflecting pools
cheekbones
rouged into soft pillows
hollowed; sharp with need
lips red smear of hunger
or well-drawn lines
of lust
each morn
she choices face to
paint; how to
look upon the day
anger; worry
joy; naivety
wantonness; jealousy
samples her reflection
then artfully arranges
hair to match;
coloured flaxen, raven, autumn red
threaded, beaded, plaited, rolled;
headdress, veil
bejeweled circlets and mesh hair nets
ear baubles gaudy, tasteful;
tiny dots, sweeping hoops
necklace chains
velvet ribbons; leather thongs
draws up attire from pile upon
her bed
up-thrust breasts or modesty;
thread-bare; richly embroidered
loose home-spun; tight watered silk
flowing linen; soft folding deep velvet
colours from
ascendant virginal white through
spectrum to descendant scarlet
she slips feet into
wooden clogs; soft leather slippers
heels of slithering heights
then ready, cracks open shutter
flings open door; emerging
emotion thus prepared
to greet audience of a million
or of one
© Lorraine 2017
for Saturday Mix/Hunt: Emotion Personified
Lorraine's frilly freudian slip 
July 17, 2017 at 1:31 pm
She’s like an actress each morning a new face, new costume, new personality. But maybe she has no choice? Or maybe this is her being creative?
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July 17, 2017 at 7:03 pm
I thought of it both ways — that she creates her personae each morning to suit her mood. Or a new personae to erase the old. That’s a good question: does she have a choice in this daily ritual? She is emotions personified, but by who’s choosing?
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July 18, 2017 at 4:11 am
Yeah, sometimes I thought she liked putting on the show. Other times, I thought there’s someone behind her pulling the strings? A high society husband or she could even be an “escort” ?
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July 18, 2017 at 10:50 am
Yes, a mysterious woman — either strong and powerful or manipulated and powerless.
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July 3, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Hi Lorraine–I used to know you by another name, and you knew me by something else I can’t recall (we shared about our depression/mercurial moods–you were, and no doubt still are, a compassionate soul); but if I need a reference, ask Michael–he assisted me in finding you again. I LOVE your “new” blog and name–and your writing is outstanding, as always. I liked this piece all the way through, and am especially partial to “heels of slithering heights”–Perfection!! I am most glad to be connected with you and Michael again–old blog friends are the BEST :) Blessings, Jael <3
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July 3, 2017 at 5:01 pm
I wrote to Michael asking if you were our friend from other blogging days and names.
Glad to see you blogging again, and back into the world I inhabit, which is rather small.
Thanks for popping back in.
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July 3, 2017 at 6:47 pm
Yep, it’s me–from one small world to another <3
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July 2, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Great personification, its a challenging task but you handled it so well Lorraine…enjoyed the vanity in it all.
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July 4, 2017 at 4:33 am
Thanks, Michael. It’s all in how we “paint” our faces, dress ourselves to match.
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July 2, 2017 at 10:08 am
Yes that’ll be me 😉💜
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July 3, 2017 at 4:56 pm
I nod and wink back.
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July 3, 2017 at 5:12 pm
😅🌸💕
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July 2, 2017 at 8:54 am
one of the best poems I’ve read recently
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July 3, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Thank you — that is wonderful and encouraging praise. I tend to only post what is/fee;s raw, with few editations. Otherwise, if I stop and think, I would never click on the publish icon.
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July 2, 2017 at 8:52 am
oh wow – I love how you’ve written this out – presenting a tour de force of emotions, and using the “blank” canvas – painting the face – the play on “vanity mirror” – and holy emojis (yeah, wth?) – the lines –
soft folding deep velvet
colours from
ascendant virginal white through
spectrum to descendant scarlet
soft leather slippers
heels of slithering heights
and the ending??? totally rocks it!
I really enjoyed the creation of this canvas – I think you did an excellent job with this and it’s also a wonderful image you’ve chosen too – I really like this Lorraine :)
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July 3, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Thanks. Another of those the first few lines fell into my head when I was trying to sleep. So, I employed a version of your memory method, and hoped they would stick. Then I just wrote, played a little bit with the here and there. Still writing in the raw — I always feel the polish is lacking. Thanks for thinking it was already applied.
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July 4, 2017 at 11:51 am
well, sometimes, it’s maybe not as “polished or finished” as such – but it’s not such a big deal – I mean really, do we have the time and inclination to work every single thing? nope. and that’s more than good enough – so as long as you were inspired, and hey – a memory technique kind of worked? cool :D – and were able to just then work with it – that’s all that really matters :)
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July 4, 2017 at 1:03 pm
I don’t sit on stuff, usually. If I do, then I never seem to post.
So, it’s the rawer version than one left to steep in it’s own creative juices for a while, ferment, ripen, turn, change, osmosisize, whatever.
I guess I’m so used to apologizing for something (okay practically everything), it’s automatic to say, “But I didn’t; the piece is really rough, etcetera.”
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July 5, 2017 at 8:14 am
yeah, dead give away – you’re Canadian right? Sorry.
LOL – ;)
it’s okay to let things loose and free – rawer than perhaps most would consider ….. there are no absolutes here – or “have to(s)” – and ahem, stop apologizing already – for crying out loud, stand by your conviction and at least, as Bradbury would say, by what your intuition wanted to say – right – get out of the way – your own way ;)
besides, if you are that “worried” – then just tag it – SoCs – or raw – or something, and leave it – unless someone asks specifically – you don’t have to explain process or justify anything …. :)
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July 5, 2017 at 9:13 am
Thanks, I know but I need it pounded into my head. Not an apology, a statement. Honest, my first sentence was “Sorry, sorry, sorry” I swear.
So, if I apologize, give me a boot to the head ala the Frantics and Four on the Floor.
My new mantra: I do not need to apologize repeated every time I do anything.
Hope this comment doesn’t read like an apology. Oh my God, it does!
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July 6, 2017 at 8:33 am
LOL@the insanity of the comment – just perfect this early morning …. eh, all is forgiven, after all, you can’t take the Canadian outta da gal! ;)
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