Blue-smocked,
he
recreates
loveliness,
recaptures
youth,
signs
signature with sutures.
It will
not last,
old skin
stretched taut
‘cross old
bones
relapses,
sighs and
sags.
He will
paint again.
Anna :o]
Advancing age – does it do any other (?) – has treated my face very kindly – not elsewhere (bits dropping off left right and centre) – that is, until of late. It is true that the crows have not (yet) stamped their feet (leaving unwanted impressions), but tis true that my nasolabial and melolabial folds have recently come out to play…
I have always proclaimed that I
would not consider a facelift (rhytidectomy
procedure), dye my hair (odd grey hair here and there) and would grow old
gracefully. But now and again, I stand
in front of a mirror and pull up my skin near my ears and like magic the lines
disappear and damn it, I like it…
So, I googled
‘Rhytidedectomy’ this morning and decided ‘No’ as the only procedure I would
consider is the mini facelift as it is the least invasive – but I am not ageing
prematurely and its effect only lasts for six to twelve months…so I wont – I will let
my history map my face as I grow old…gracefully…
Fred at
dVerse has us writing micro-poetry of twelve lines or less, and so my little effort is
about lines…
Image:
courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Attribution; © Photographer -
James C. Mutter / Surgeon - Vishal
Kapoor, MD
37 comments:
strong write Anna. The verse atop is a great example of detailing that expands well beyond the number of words in a poem. And in your explanation, it too has a poetic prose feel to it. Personally, unless some tragedy alters me completely, I don't plan on any type of surgery like that. There's a woman in my village that I see from time to time, and she's had so many procedures It's like the smile is permanent, and her skin is really terrible looking. She's in her late sixties, but doesn't really look it, yet she dresses as if she's a teenager, which, the surgeries didn't work that well, not in the least bit. I've also heard so many horror stories with these types of surgeries, mainly the exposes that frequent television stations. Great piece. Thanks
i hope i embrace my aging as well...it is hard...even sitting vanity aside it is a reminder of our passing...i could not have plastic surgery though...nah, not me...smiles....esp if it does not last...
i always like seeing the map of life in people's face...so i think i will let them read in mine as well...smiles
I like the painting of the artist as signing with sutures, trying to recapture youth ~ There is a market for it, so these artists will last for a long long time ~
Anna,an interesting write. These plastic surgeons ARE artists, aren't they? There is something so unnatural about 'tight skin' over a certain age, I think. I agree with the idea of letting history map your face naturally. There is beauty in that!
It can be hard for some of us to age, but as people always tell me, be proud... with age, comes wisdom.
This is very much a poem for today, particularly from a woman's perspective. I do hear you! I think about it letting an artist have a go but I'm scared I wouldn't recognise myself and I find that more frightening than growing old. I also agree with Claudia's comment I'd like to leave a map too!
Honestly? I would totally get an eye lift. A sensible one, as I have no interest in morphing into a cat.
This description in just a few lines tells so much. To be vane in vain ;-)
Your timing is impeccable. As I'm marching straight through my forties, I feel myself abandoning my "I'll grow old gracefully" philosophy. I just blogged about it and scheduled it for Tuesday's post.
Loved your poem. Plastics is like sculpting, isn't it?
So true, Anna.
You are right, it will not last, and there is the threat that the artist will create something that looks artifical ...
Very good and an accurate reflection/presentation on the way it is.
There is another way you know: banish all mirrirs :-)
Fun topic for the little gem.
To rephrase Martin's comment, there's always the chance the artist is not an artist. And there's nothing more conspicuous than an unlined face atop an aging body. Good write, Anna.
Artist of restoration. :)
I think I will consider options for preserving a certain self-acceptable look as long it isn't too drastic. I do think one can't try to recreate youth overly much without looking weird.
A little botox here, a little filler there ... voila, young again ... not ... I know plenty of people living from one skin appointment to the next, they forget to live and enjoy the present ...
growing old gracefully, easier said then done...fun that you wrote a few lines about "lines" :)
...sadly, but most pretty faces these days are man made under science table... scary how a mere man can aim to be of God's level in creating this & that... great write...smiles...
aging is a natural process... but it takes time to adapt..
I see my dad doin all things you mentioned... is he running away.. I don't know but may be by doing so he's getting ready in his own way
aging is a natural process... but it takes time to adapt..
I see my dad doin all things you mentioned... is he running away.. I don't know but may be by doing so he's getting ready in his own way
I don't think I will choose to ever have plastic surgery (bar some horrible accident which renders it necessary), but that's probably more a function of me not wanting to spend money on it, and also a fear of surgery. I can totally understand people who choose it-- I think some people go into it with a healthy attitude, and some don't. Either way, I don't find it to be any worse than the other self-indulgent things people waste money on (myself included!) We each have our own vices; ways we choose to spend our money or time, rather than spending those things on doing good in the world. Most everybody is misguided in some sense.
I was talking about this las night, and comparing Judi Dench, who has aged into a really beautiful older woman, with Joan Colins, who has had everything tucked and lifted. There's no comparison! I'm sure you're lovely as you are, Anna.
Beauty is not beauty if the character be sucked away. Careful, now!
Oooh, sensitive topic. I love the way you predict the repetitiveness of the procedure. Feels also like a comment on beauty in general - never quite there, never quite perfect.
Be proud of your lines and sags... they are the history of your life! x
I like it! I agree,too. I'd never have any kind of "work" done, but lately I've thought maybe I might have to. Not only do I see my grandpa when I look in the mirror (you should see my recent passport photo--OMG!), but I also lost 70 pounds recently, and I have way too much skin now. I was wondering; can a person donate skin?
Fantastic!!
Love the notes too.
Transient is the best we've got.
So let's celebrate and rejoice.
One more stitch, one more tuck,
here comes the formaldehyde truck !
my what a risk people take when they undergo plastic surgery..great points here..
Short, clear, clever ~ and I applaud your sentiments
yeah, too bad it never lasts... your poem says it all beautifully
Liked what you did in so few lines. At the stage where the crows have been stamping on my face but agree with you that natural is best :-)
Very well written and with a few words. Lines about lines...Yeah I have visited the artist capital and I see alot of scary skin, too. Like Fred Says: Well if you have no facial damage. I am sure you will age with grace. No problem, for you young people STAY OUT OF THE SUN! NO SMOKING. DRINK LOTS OF WATER>>>>>>>
Then you will never have to
see the artist.
Cheers for your welcome comments folks.
I really am quite happy with who I am and will grow old gracefully - but sometimes when I pull up my skin near my ears and ten years drops of my face I think...
but I wouldn't for as you rightly say vbreverb 'there's nothing more conspicuous than an unlined face atop an aging body.'
Thanks again folks
Anna :o]
Yes, I too have wondered about it - or a tummy tuck. But the best decision is one that is made when you aren't being tempted so I too will stick to my earlier resolution not to have a face lift.
I love reading your commentary, and the idea of the short lines about lines cracked me up!
A pretty way to paint what is for a a shocking way to reach (vainly) for immortality, as man as always done. I am ethically against cosmetic surgery. Great write.
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