Self-Portrait Ii Poem by Josephine Collett

A college art assignment
was my first
self-portrait.
Then the teenage-girl studied
herself long hours in the mirror, catching
a glimpse of some resemblance on her paper-
two-dimensional collection
of fact, brown eyes, black hair
and static pose, she did not breathe
theatrics then or understand
the mystery of love or beauty of a soul.
Thrown out, self-portrait one
with discarded semester's end dreams.

Self-portrait two- a woman worldly- worn
Forester of dawn's leaf-laden paths,
treading her course, rescuer, guide
and comforter, a sleek black kelpie
ever with her, alongside, dark companion,
Wild hair and heart, boots worn
to the tread with walking, lover,
stargazer, faithful friend.
Paint her alone, grasping solitude.
Colour her in greens and azure blue
of the ocean and sky
and indigo night for her wanderings.
Emblazon her life with thoughts
and words of her own making,
books and poetry,
But note this well-
In the end picture her
Waiting with expectation
for her Saviour.