Photo: V. Slotto
Shine
a Self-Portrait
The process of oxidation takes time.
Today the scent of Mother’s silver polish
transports me back to 1957
when I was yet untarnished.
My task in these, my later years—
rediscover the original patina
without losing the texture.
Brian’s prompt over at dVerse sent my mind into overdrive. He asks us to write a self-portrait. I was looking for something metaphoric and today, when cleaning out the kitchen I uncovered these silver grapefruit spoons…and glass polish she used to use for silverware. I can’t wait to see where others have taken this prompt. I hope you’ll join us.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
There is a lot to be said for ‘vintage’ writers….as we age, the contents become richer..
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Very well crafted metaphor in here. Smiles.
Happy Easter.
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I love it 🙂 Happy Easter
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Such a simple poem with a lifetime of exploration embedded in it. Why do we want to shine? What do we think we will uncover if we polish off the tarnish? What’s so wrong with a bit of tarnish gained from a life fully lived? An amazing piece, Victoria!
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Simply lovely!
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crisp!! and i am glad you discover the old gleam without losing the new shades! 🙂
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Patina makes more beautiful. A lovely poem!
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The last three lines make for a very strong finish. Great use of metaphor and nostalgia tie-ins.
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i suppose the patina is spirit and the texture is age of flesh so manifested from time..
but not spirit..as that never needs to tarnish..from silk…
as long as a weave or wave continues…
underneath the waves…
is calm…
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ahhh, theres the rub 🙂 this has been a conversation I have been having with myself the past few months – trying to redeem the tarnish and find glimmers of the old polish – wonderfully written! K
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Yes, don’t polish too vigorously, as the shine may lose you the texture. Nice metaphor.
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Brilliant, I just love those closing lines! I think I might print it out and put it above my desk as a motto.
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OH YES!!!!!!! This says it all just perfectly.
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Ha! Loved your take Victoria…clever!
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blotched perhaps, blemished, wrinkled, slowed down, but you could not, would not brook being tarnished; for your are the sun within your familial galaxy, & suns, even small ones, do not tarnish.
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loved those last two line… today we are showing out ages… smiles
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what a gem of a poem this is and closing lines are spot on…a nice task that…beautiful
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“rediscover the original patina without losing the texture”- Great thinking and so eloquently said. 🙂
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unvarnished and untarnished, Victoria ~
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rediscover the original patina
without losing the texture… what a wonderful metaphor victoria..
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Clever interpretation of the prompt. You could not possibly tarnish! I could think of nothing last night when I saw the prompt – it had been a tiring day.
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Ah lots of sparkle in this with that feel of heavy silver. I like it very much Victoria. You are like a vintage wine. I savor you to the last drop!
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Hard to think of you as tarnished Victoria…maybe just an ever so slight discolouration 🙂 Enjoyed this!
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Great Victoria, very concise and succinct. Well done.
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looks great from here 🙂
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such wise words, Victoria.
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love those last three lines
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I like that line “when I was yet untarnished.” Oh the things that could mean, but I, of course, put my own thought to it. Nice.
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It’s a transformation every time they are given a shine. And mothers always have time for them! Nicely Victoria!
Hank
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smiles…love that last line…def keep the texture…its too bad we cant live life backward…i wish i knew then what i know now….there is still much of life to live v….
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How lovely to find and rediscover them ~ Your second stanza is so full of meaning & words of wisdom ~ Thanks for sharing Victoria ~
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