Day 25: Instructions to the Artist (after Billy Collins)

Billy Collins wrote a very fun poem titled "Instructions to the Artist" (follow the link to read it).  So...here are my instructions to the artist rendering my portrait.  I wish him/her good luck.

Also, if you're looking for a writing prompt, I recommend this one.  

Instructions to the artist

I wish my eyes to be bigger than my own.

Not wide like saucers

or circular like surprised cartoons

but shaped like mine, only larger,

to show the way I soak in the world. 

They should be green, like mine, for it is supposedly unique and rare

and I would hate to lose that quality in a portrait.

They should be kind, and deep,

literal windows to my soul -

which can doubly serve as a nod to Shakespeare,

to subtly indicate my love writing.

You should spend the most time here:

it's the only part of my body I like consistently -

but leave out the glasses

I would like to be remembered as having

falsely good vision.

That said, do not forget the rest of the face:

I am not a Cheshire cat.

The head should be roundish,

but not so much as to remind one of a balloon. 

I should like my face to be painted in bold colors:

my mother once had family pictures done in which

my body was cut out 

and my head transposed like that of a ghost.

Since then, I desire only to look grounded,

firmly on the Earth,

so paint me boldly

to let everyone know I 

truly lived. 

I should like to be dancing

in red high heels,

and almost certainly a dress -- but make it plain, 

and make the background rural.

Perhaps place me outside, with an exotic landscape,

as I would like to be remembered in some other country

for the future work I will do there.

You must also include:

a dog - a scruffy white one,

a pen

a tree

a child

and a book -- a thick one.

Finally, I should like to be riding a tiger

side-saddle - like Durga -

and I would like multiple sets of arms.

I would not mind if I were carrying a sword

to demonstrate my bravery, and 

my heart should be literally on my sleeve -

larger than anyone would think necessary

because anyone who knows me 

knows this is true.

I would like to be eating a handful of blueberries.

There is no reason for this

aside from the fact that they

are delicious.

Durga - in case you have no idea
what I'm talking about