The Face in the Mirror

M.C. Escher

The Face in the Mirror

Grey haunted eyes, absent-mindedly glaring
From wide, uneven orbits; one brow drooping
Somewhere over the eye
Because of a missile fragment still inhering,
Skin deep, as a foolish record of old-world fighting.

Crookedly broken nose - low tackling caused it;
Cheeks furrowed; coarse grey hair, flying frenetic;
Forehead, wrinkled and high;
Jowls, prominent; ears, large' jaw, pugilistic;
Teeth, few; lips, full and ruddy; mouth, ascetic.

I pause with razor poised, scowling derision
At the mirrored man whose beard needs my attention,
And once more ask him why
He still stands ready, with a boy's presumption,
To court the queen in her high silk pavilion.

Robert Graves

Essentially, this is a poem-self-portrait. Like an artist, Graves is faithful to his subject. He describes each portion in detail, and each one tells a story. Eyes that are haunted and absent-minded, show a person who thinks deeply. One who is preoccupied with an inner world and not always aware of his surroundings. He bears the scars of war (I love the phrase he uses "still inhering" which seems to intimate more than physical injury), which he scorns, so he has changed views through life experience. His nose shows he has been in physical contest, he is not merely a thinker, he is also a man of action, of opinion and dispute, even. And his cheeks and hair show he has aged considerably. The way that he sees himself tells, too. He recognizes the humour of the fact that in spite of all these counts against him - sadness, scars, age - somewhere inside, he is still a boy who thinks he can win love and beauty by charm and audacity. I love this self-portrait. It shows such honesty and self-restraint. And I love the play between inner and outer vision. I haven't come across another poem quite like it.