Self-Portrait by David Radavich


Self-Portrait After the painting by Félix Vallotton
by David Radavich

The face is young:
pale, turned over the shoulder
toward our view, a slight
mustache and small, tight mouth
and eyes that bleed
just a hint of red, as if
about to cry
or ask forgiveness.

How does he see himself
with the chopped, ash-brown
hair and circular collar
like a priest?

He looks assured and shy
at once, painting himself
as if some day
he might be significant.

This is one who will become.

There is sadness
and a self-confidence
for what the world
will bring.

The green background
favors growth, and the face
slightly downward
rings an insistent bell.

Hear David Radavich recite the poem on the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast:

Six Poets Recite (Durell Carter / Sarah Bitter / David Radavich / Mary Amato / Jai-Michelle Louissen / Nicole Farmer) Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast

Submit your polished poetry for the opportunity of being published on ViewlessWings.com and being interviewed on The Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast.

David Radavich

David Radavich’s poetry collections include two epics, AMERICA BOUND and AMERICA ABROAD, as well as MIDDLE-EAST MEZZE and THE COUNTRIES WE LIVE IN. His plays have been performed across the U.S. and in Europe. His latest book is UNTER DER SONNE / UNDER THE SUN: German Poems from Deutscher Lyrik Verlag. www.davidradavich.org.

Up ↑