we try self-portraiture

i.

but we may as well try arson

or another brand of corruption

such as cinching waistbands

rouged cheeks

liner about the eyes

dusted powder

where shoulders

meet to disguise

imperfection

ii.

again, we try self-portraiture

because of our feckless nature

our reckless narcissism

our awareness of refraction

since our mirror

only reports one dimension

yet we glimpse so many more

iii.

we construct from materials

appropriate for depiction

we cast a most accurate

reflection:

plaster

cement

the flattened canvas

that finally suits us best