Selfie (September)

Pensive, enquiring, elated, grotesque, perseverant, moody, alone. I turn pages of self-portraits of Rembrandt van Rijn, wondering what the Dutchman sees today in his mirror. Consciousness registers change. Selfie itself (September 2002) was first recorded by an Australian. Nathan Hope, drunk at a party, apologised for the focus. Later he denied coining selfie, saying it was common slang. Partying, tripped, smashed, toothless, bleary, proven, alone. More Hope than Rembrandt, selves feature in their own movies, still-lifes on the run, leaning with the Tower of Pisa. They frame themselves for micro-eternity, photo-bombed by sunlight: Button-holed, landmarked, postcarded, earthbound, tricky, clicky, alone.

Selfie (December)

[Three of seven in B&W] Me with bestie. Me with pyramids. Me with camel. Signatures of all things I happen to be in front of at the time. Me explores my space. Me conquers the world. Been there, done a selfie, with my bestie. Who am I, sending selfies, to my list? Or there’s anti-selfie. A full frontal of the hand that serves the selfie. An aerial shot that’s mostly hairdo. Angle centrally the nose-ring me inserted with help from bestie. Me refuses the 24-hour happy. Me knows December is Advent waiting, then Christmas given. Me looks beyond camera’s wants.  

Written for Talitha Fraser and in honour of what I call her anti-selfies. Also written for Kate McAll in response to her invitation to the B&W challenge.