The Poem
The first two lines of this poem grabbed me immediately. They struck me as regretful, wishing that things could’ve been different. The words leave me wondering what the story is about and I find myself trying to interpret it. I suppose that’s because I feel inclined to tell the same story visually with my pictures. To me, Sue is telling her audience to be introspective, to take a look at yourself. She also seems wistful that she couldn’t say or do anything to make things better. (Just like Sue. Always trying to help). Then, when I read this poem again later, I got something completely different out of it. We’ll never know exactly what this poem is written about, but like a good song, the words can still be meaningful to a story in our own lives.
I’d be curious how other people interpret this poem.
The Picture
My concept for “Self Look” feels a bit sad and dark in both colour and manner because that’s the way the poem makes me feel. I wanted this picture to stimulate the imagination in the same way the poem does. The image I’ve depicted could tell many different stories. Maybe even more than I intended. It could be a couple fighting, or maybe she’s a ghost, or his conscience… or maybe she just has to use the bathroom. The meaning doesn’t really matter. Just like the poems, it’s thinking about all the possibilities that makes this such an engaging project!
Conceptual sketches for “Self Look”
Self Look
If I could only think of words
When words could yet be said
And if those words would touch a man
Not only in his head
If I could turn a pencil
Into something razor sharp
And pure white empty paper
Somehow became your heart
If you could read intentions
As clearly as a book
And honesty
Within
Gave
Self
a second look
If all this world was perfect
And you your self
The same
Would there then be this need
for apologies or blame
By: Sue Michaud
Self Look painting by: Sylvia Arthur