Doppelganger
by Jennifer Lagier
She tilts her head,
gazes through invisible frame,
candlestick visible above one shoulder,
just a hint of brass bed.
Her mouth gives nothing away.
Flat, parted hair, strong jaw,
long nose, narrow lips,
my doppelganger twin.
The fickle mirror reflects
my squinty, off-kilter eyes,
Modigliani neck, now wrinkled,
the same elongated face.
A forceful woman who
impatiently ploughs through obstacles,
pursues what moves her,
time on earth running out.
I determinedly wade into battle,
lead with my chin,
know death is coming,
won’t give an inch.
PAINTING: “Hanka Zborowska with a Candlestick” by Amedeo Modigliani (1919).
PHOTO: Selfie by the author.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Amedeo Modigliani’s portraits of women bear a strong resemblance to my own facial characteristics as enumerated in my poem.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Lagier has published ten books of poetry and internationally in a variety of literary magazines and anthologies. Her latest book, Where We Grew Up, was just issued by FutureCycle Press. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, maintains web sites for Homestead Review, Monterey Poetry Review, Ping Pong Literary Journal, misfit magazine and helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Website: jlagier.net.
Silver Birch Press 
Lead with my chin/ know death is coming/ won’t give an inch”–Wow! Love this!