A self-portrait and poem inspired by it:

In a photograph, a moment forever caught in time,

A self-portrait of a woman-child, in her prime,

With the palette of her soul, she paints her vibrant truth,

A symbol of her beauty, her unwavering, endless youth.

With grace, she applies lipstick, a stroke of artful care,

A symbol of her femininity, a beauty rich and rare,

Her clothing, like a spring day, bright and full of grace,

Pink and white and yellow, in colors that embrace.

She stands before her wall of books, a testament to her mind,

A library of her passions, hopes, and dreams, intertwined,

A living room transformed, into a sanctuary of the heart,

Built by her loving husband, a work of love and literary art.

In each beloved trinket, in every cherished book bound,

Her memories, her knowledge, her aspirations found,

The shelves adorned with stories, both near and from afar,

A reflection of her soul, like a twinkling, distant star.

The photograph preserves a moment, a glimpse of her in time,

A young woman forever, in her spirit’s joyful prime,

With beauty that transcends, with colors that ignite,

She stands before her dreams, in the candle-opera light.

A snapshot of her essence, captured for all to see,

A testament to a life well-lived and to her dreams set free,

In this self-portrait, youth remains even as time continues on.

For her heart and soul are ageless, even after her books are gone.