NaPoWriMo 2023, Day 26
Today we were tasked with writing a portrait poem and play with the meaning behind the name of the person in the image. I chose a self portrait of Lucian Freud, as I like him. Lucian is derived from Latin and means light, it was adopted by three Pope’s and a Roman philosopher. Freud has Germanic/Jewish roots and means joy. I also took some of Lucian’s own words he used to describe his work and his techniques and wove them into the poem. Enjoy.
Look at me, if this is indeed me.
Here, here in this frame.
Framed by my memory, here
Stands hope and sensuality.
And light and joy.
For that is who I am.
The light of old masters
The light of ancient sages
And the joy passed down to me by Freyde.
Here, I can remain
Constantly variable,
Muted in my Mummification.
Standing upright from my counseling couch,
Where the sable bristles stroked me into being.
Where the hog’s head hairs brushed my vision, your vista,
Into life.
Into light.
For I am born of and into light,
To bring Joy.
Missives & Musings 
I like the image you chose to illustrate your portrait of Lucian Freud – I like him to. I love the way you included the English meanings of his name in your poem, as well as words he used to describe his work and techniques. I also love the direct address, writing the poem from the first person, as Lucien Freud, which brought me closer to him as I read. I especially enjoyed the lines:
‘For that is who I am.
The light of old masters
The light of ancient sages’
and the phrase: ‘Where the sable bristles stroked me into being’.
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Thanks Kim, that has made me very happy.
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