A Human Work of Art

Yesterday you asked
If I was done painting myself
Unsure of that question
I did not answer
But today I can confidently reply
Yes, I was done
Painting myself for the day
Today is a new day
I will paint myself again
It’s a daily ritual
I associate with my femininity
Daily I paint myself
For when I look in the mirror
I see raw beauty
Like a skilled painter
I enhance it
Armed with my make-up palette
And my face as the canvass
I sit before the mirror
And start to paint
Like spices and condiments
Add flavor to food
My paintworks
Enhance my beauty
A little foundation
To smooth the complexion
Some shadow on my large eyelids
So they look like awnings
Over the windows of my soul
A dab of lipstick
To enhance the pout of my lips
A touch of blush
To make my cheeks flush
Some twizzing of the eyebrows
Into a permanent arch
A brush of powder
For that polished dry look
And finally some spray
To make the look stay
And I’m done for the day
Now I can go out
For all to see
This human work of art
That is me!

By Matilda Moyo
29 August 2010