Bad Pictures

well said
we really do see the world and others dependent on our mood and emotions of the moment

and for the camera we always perk up, show our best side

in a way it is sad that we want to hide our true feelings - we might make better of coping with our troubles if we faced them with the world watching :)

one thing threw me a little
'It's a craft or skill,
dare I say sullen and unlearned?'
- what is your interpretation of 'sullen' here?

a thought-provoking write as usual from you jess
love judy

the reader gets so much more than the writer intends always
- after all, once it reaches the reader it unites two people's worlds.... and world views
:)
xx

As with most pictures they show a two dimensional farce, then there is the picture that captures the mind of the observer.
A split second where the smile of a child is eternal or the lines on an old ladies face writes a history book in one glance.
I wonder do they see the soul in some fractions of seconds, where the greatest pictures ever taken make people cry inside.
A very good thoughtful theme.
I hope your rest has been good for your words, it seems so, and I am happy at this picture you have painted.. Yours reaching out to the screen,
Ian.T

well it's not really my style of poem, but I can see it's well crafted. Glad your muse is returning

Lou

Hi Jess.

Turn turn turn.

~A

I think describing those moments caught....like a bad hair day: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm98DElpink/TXgl0X13xJI/AAAAAAAAC1M/12DRYJPhm…

or Take yer pick here. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/CelebSnapshots/popup?id=3660666 (do the slideshow)

~A

This is a good food for thought poem, that is well crafted.
I ask you as a friend to be careful, when you write like this it makes me wonder if your off your med. and I also wonder did you do it because of the challenge by Anna. I just feel that you do not need to prove you can write, because that already has been established.

Cheers, my good friend and teacher.
Eddie

I have a secret love for "bad pictures" when a person is caught off their guard. I think it is true art to catch what someone is really feeling at any given moment. Good thought inducing poem.

I'm glad you are feeling better :) hope it continues.

always, Cat

Quite often the pictures of oneself that one hates are the candid ones which reveal a different self than we'd prefer seeing. Like good raw poetry the lack of preparation brings out the beauty within........and I think an expansion of this poem is warranted 'cause sometimes less Isn't more..............stan

Hi Jess, I applaud this writing, it says so much more than it says, I am sure you know what I mean. I think these themes are very much worth some time & consideration, your poem makes them more likely to be considered.

A classic example of this sentiment is seen daily in regard to politicians or political fugures, if they are in favour, the pics are all handsome & dignified, if they are out of favour or the photographer/ journo wishes to undermine their credibility etc. the stills are often most unflattering.

Still, aside from the content & sentiment, I love the way you have brought this concept to us, it is an exampe of good art in my opinion, doing precisely as I expect your prefer to do, bring issues to the attention of those who would consider it, seeing beyond mediocrity to the pointy ends of living... Well done, I reckon.

I do admire your clarity & sharp wit, it scares me sometimes, since I like harmony, but it is very worthy of praise & respect .

Cheers
A

that moment when the face was revealed in its frozen context was a great
picture....I remember Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby
his mouth contorted in pain...the Zapruder footage that was in a club
running on the wall somewhere stateside..1990's

VCRs were fun and yet odd too that the victims of stroke or palsy or age
have the same look sometimes Bell's Palsy paralizes partial expression
at times They said my gran mal seizures were something too
I wish someone had of videotaped me U Tube shows me the experience
though But at one time that was fun to get ones pictures back to see
the bad pics T he one member of the family that couldnt sit still and
smile for the prepared pic taking

Natives said it stole their souls the magic box and maybe they were
right

Very good Poem Jess

Thank You

am I as candid as I suspect I am? Thank goodness life is not scripted, and posed.

In ink,
David

it took a racehorse owner with great wealth to settle controversy about the horses legs
in motion......thus the motion "picture" was contrived into mass use
and "stars" were born

some people have the gift for the show
others for the know

now more then ever is beauty defined by
the masses hungering for images
the slather of exploitation
ruthless and tender

the propaganda of every smile
and all its guile

there is beauty in ugly
a raw truth to it
our story myths hold fast this

...