Sunday 12 August 2012

Paper doll

                                                                    
                                                                          image by Francesca Woodman


my hands mock  
images brimming in my head 
raw and bare earth 


my breasts betray 
passion surging in my limbs
consuming, black blur  


my eyes flicker  
like paper doll, stripped empty
unworthy of you


i hurl the shell of me,
fragile as glass, but cold as stone  
to sky window 


please, 
remember my face 





Posted for The Mag 130 :   Francesca Woodman was a young American photographer whose work was produced between 1972 and 1981. Despite the fact that she was working for only a short period, Woodman has, over the past 30 years, gained a reputation as one of the most important names in photography.  She committed suicide at age 22. 

42 comments:

  1. I like the notice of the absence of the face.

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    1. I noticed this feature in most of her photographs ~ Thanks for the visit ~

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  2. Giving her voice, though she has no mouth to speak through is the perfect way to handle this haunt.

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    1. Do you know that in most of her work, she is also the model? Thanks for the lovely words Susan ~

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    2. Now I do, I looked her up and found that there is even a pov video on npr! I wish I'd known her.

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  3. Fragile but cold.. Lovely :)

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  4. Wow that was dark yet not, as the chills crept up slowly.

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  5. For the first time for the Mag, I didn't read up a bit on the artist. How tragic to have commit suicide at 22. She had so much life to live.
    Your poetry is as equally sad.
    Lovely write Heaven.
    RYN: I can write very, very hot, and have done many times and do share as and when it suits ;) Watch this space...lol

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  6. You've produce a piece every bit as harrowing as the picture... :)

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  7. It's so hard to mask passion and want. Something always betrays our truth. So yes, may as well just surrender to a raw plea.
    Beautifly done, grace
    Rick

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  8. i hurl the shell of me...love that bit right there...so much emotion in those quick lines...and i absolutely love your closure on this...remember my face when there is none in the picture...

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  9. that was intense, the picture is also intense

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  10. love this.....the hurl and the face and thanks or the info on the photographer...we are all in charge of our own destiny...x

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  11. I really like your reference to the paper doll...nice...

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  12. Indeed, the arresting line is "hurl the shell of me". There is enough in there to hold the poem until the plea carries it home. I found family reminiscences of Francesca on video and the link is on my blog. It looks like self destruction was as mysterious for them as it so often is for us all who stay behind.

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  13. Oooh black blur and paper dolls- thinning down close to evaporation.
    dangerous territory.

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  14. I love this: "i hurl the shell of me,
    fragile as glass"

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  15. Vulnerability. With the very touching plea at the end "please,
    remember my face". Beautifully done.

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  16. Her success still wasn't enough. Heartbreaking. Thank you, Heaven.

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  17. I passion in this poem. how every word seem to have a power that made me want to take another look at the photo.

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  18. Fantastic ending, last two stanzas just great

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  19. "the shell of me" Powerful poem.

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  20. The energy in your poem is without esteem or joy.... powerful but oh, so sad, Heaven. This was brilliantly crafted, and moving. Thank you for sharing.

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  21. I too had to take another look at the photo and ponder a bit about the photographer after reading. It's a powerful poem and I really appreciate the info about her.

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  22. A person with soul but without face is just as strong. It's just choice! Great write Heaven!

    Hank

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  23. Very cool poem. Really well done. k.

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  24. Terrific expose ofmthe sexual energy and experience of the courtesan , Heaven, indeed they are people too, and it is equally possible to fall in lust or love in that situation if all the planets align, i imagine .

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  25. please remember the face...excellent write!!!

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  26. images brimming in my head...remember my face...
    the image itself: evocative image, I'm not familiar with this woman's work-will explore. Your words bring deep feelings, a rawness to the experience. Thank you.

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  27. As pretty as a Paper-doll, for sure!

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  28. heaven, your poem in visceral. a powerful tribute to woman.

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  29. An intriguing take on this photo-- xxxj

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  30. Two stand-out references for me; the paper doll and the shell of me. There's a poignant call to remember her face when it has already been obliterated. Lovely poem.

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  31. Lovely take on this intriguing image. You have captured the beauty and mystery of it in your poem.

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  32. this.

    sighs.

    just this.


    lisa

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Thanks for your visit and comments ~ I appreciate them ~