I wish the shape of my face not too narrow

And don’t exaggerate how my head’s on crooked-

I don’t want to look like a Modigliani

But draw my cheekbones a bit pointed 

Like Malificent in Sleeping Beauty.

Upon my face paint the expression of Icarus-

The moment before he smelled hot wax

Full of sacred awe at the ploughmen below

So the eyes forget themselves.

To suggest I’ve been living

On the Mediterranean-

Choose a tan color for my skin 

And the blue of a Turkish sky for my eyes.

The background- all poppies and butterflies-

In flight, the brighter the colors the better

So the viewer feels he is looking 

Through a kaleidoscope.

On my lap should be resting-

Like the dichotomous Greek masks

Scuffed up rock climbing shoes

And shiny red tango heels.

Some final recommendations-

Draw a hat atop my head

One that borders on ugly

And have me just barely pull it off.

March 17, 2014

Seattle, WA

"I wish the shape of my face not too narrow" was first published in Miller's Pond Poetry Magazine. Fall 2014. Online. http://www.millerspondpoetry.com/index.php/issues/web_editions1