at the studio
i switch the stage lights to
capture the sun falling on the model,
$ 8000 Birkin handbag on her feet
she awaits patiently for my time,
unlike the files on my desk with a
RUSH stamped,
i search for numerical beauty of her back,
consistency and safety pins on hair,
and hint of summer underneath her corset,
but it is the eyes I am aiming for,
deep, full of emotional connections,
i strip away the clothes and make up
to figure out the shape of the face, bare beauty,
a year from now, maybe another wrinkle or line,
but nothing like depression drugs or cancer
(the file will be DECLINED)
my fingers frame the picture i want,
the angle to capture the light behind,
like a buyer checking an auction find, carefully
subtract the claims from the payments
check the trends, set minimum threshold, LOWest price,
before sales negotiations begin, because there is NUMBer
to be negotiated, nothing, not even love
is fixed and constant, forever is an ILLUSION,
(it exists only in my poetic head)
like my polariod camera, catching fluid moments
into fixed frames for sale, for artistic expression,
but always a showcase to the HIGHest bidder
because there is a price
to pay for something that you want
or not
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub: Poetics: Workin' For It - I should have posted this in my other blog but I want to write without fearing a backlash from my (real world) friends and workmates. Thanks for the visit ~
Picture post and inspiration from Photographer Paolo Roversi
WOW! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks :-)
Deleteyep...there surely is a price to pay... for everything...i like the snapshot feeling here...the searching for the right angle, light, moment to capture just what you see or want to see or want to reveal..
ReplyDeleteThanks Claudia ~ Though in real life, I am not a photographer, far from it ~
DeleteI've always said that integrity simply means you haven't yet found their price. A provocative poem, and definitely one you want to keep out of your work circles, while you can...
ReplyDeleteAn interesting comment Sam ~ Thanks for the visit ~
DeleteSad to think that the highest bid is what so many look for...how to achieve it their aim, no matter what the 'cost' to those involved.
ReplyDeleteMary, sad to say, when money is involved, everything is negotiable ~ Thanks for the visit ~
DeleteThere is that ... or not hanging in the air, that defines the preceding, creating the space where critical thought can begin... or not. Describing how we create these illusions, using poetry as the medium of critique is a great exercise in both self- and objective critique. That you can be so insightful into the process of manufacturing illusion, while recognizing it as illusion, says a lot about the power of the aesthetic sphere of existence, to borrow Kierkegaard's terminology.
ReplyDeleteA profound commentary Charles. I like to believe that my poetry here, in this blog, is an expression of my alter ego. Creating an illusion is part of my escape, while recognizing the challenges of real world, including my work. Thanks for the visit ~
DeleteAhh.... she works hard for her money. Said to think that it all (mostly) always comes down to $$$$$$$.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting write!
Thanks Bren ~
DeleteFirstly - thanks for putting yourself out there- not easy to write on a subject like this considering the work colleagues who might be reading. Secondly- insurance....putting peopleslovesnintonfiles and then upholding/declining - I can not imagine this to be so so tough- because how could oh not help but feel these people? Love the escape you paint as well- escaping into a picture- in a magazine on a desk perhaps?....heaven- I'm sure say this EVERYTIME- but your writing goes to the next level everytime....this is my faves of yours so far DEFO!
ReplyDeleteMy real work doesn't require me to see people's faces nor feelings. Its all numbers, I see. This whole blog is a nice escape, thanks for the lovely words Stu ~
DeleteReally enjoyed this one, the metaphor and subtleties.
ReplyDeleteAll about the dough, as we pay and pay and pay some more, in more ways than one too. And hiding from your work crew hahaha just be a crazy cat and that comes through.
ReplyDeleteBut its fun Pat ~ See you around ~
DeleteI love the process you describe in stripping down the excess to find the bare beauty...staging the perfect angle, lighting. Such a beautifully thoughtful poem, Heaven!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah for the visit and compliments ~
DeleteA very thoughtful write, with many underlying themes. Looking for arttistic expression while bills pile up, and customers want something totally different.
ReplyDeletethis has a couple nice layers in it...in actuarial work dealing with the facts to determine a value, its hard...had a good friend that did it...but then again the same in photography, young fresh nubile sells....there are a few artists though that make reality work better...
ReplyDeletesorry again i am late...smiles.
True, true. I was wondering where you would take this prompt. Very nice capture of the bait and sell. Loved the photo. You were right about the eyes. Added some humanity to this, I think you intended that. Excellente.
ReplyDeleteYou convinced me that the price to pay was worth it. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteGREAT picture! The eyes reach out and sting you immediately! And the way you wrapped the poem around them is excellent. Fantastic post!
ReplyDeleteA person...a commodity..doesn't sound quite right does it. Great job..gets you thinking, Grace.
ReplyDeleteGreat write about a sad reality ...we all have a worth ...some just see pounds ( or dollars )..I hope I'm never that shallow ...thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteyes, there is a price to pay... or not. :)
ReplyDeletegreat point of view poem about a fashion/portrait photographer
ReplyDeleteSonnet 24
The attempt to focus on the eyes caught my attention--particularly paired with the photo. Such a great contrast to the all-business tone of the piece.
ReplyDelete