Stop the Tides of Age a Raging !

by Ted Elden, Portrait photographer extraordinaire

The artist soothes and settles subject,

  with time and design like architect.

To start a session of regression,

  he’ll reach for mood and expression.

Light and shadow are his paint,

  sees the world where you’re a saint.

Sculpts the face, the body shape,

  softens light beyond the nape.

Shape the shadow, bend the light,

  break the grimace, incite delight.

Catch the glimpse of cockney smile,

  chameleon change like sundial.

Facial structure shapes the face,

  clothed in shadow, highlights trace.

Aquiline nose, whittled cheeks,

  light bestows what he seeks.

To the canvas, what he brings,

  something fresh, deep from spring.

The vulnerability shown to friend,

  that expression is his end.

What's close to you, cat or dog,

  stirs your feelings, catalog ?

What sport, hobby or special place,

  stirs your soul, incites your grace ?

Within their mind, he opens door,

  'cross their face, emotions pour.

What moods and faces surface forth ?

  Has he found a new report ?

This his craft, his artistry,

 draw feelings deep, that’s the key.

Find a face unique in one,

  memorialize, quintessent sum !

Thinking, talking breaks their mood,

  escape this place, of it elude.

Blink 'n roll emotions forth,

  lines are drawn, the face contort.

To the canvas, what he brings,

  something fresh, deep from spring.

The vulnerability shown to friend,

  that expression is his end.

Gentle inquiry of their life,

  Have you brother, sister, wife ?

Have you pet or special friend

  one with whom you don't pretend ?

What's close to you, cat or dog,

  stirs your feelings, a catalog ?

What sport, hobby or special place

  stirs your soul, incites your grace ?

Expressions hide in diplomat,

  conceal their place, their habitat.

Are they artsy aristocrat ?

  or deep in gloom proletariat ?

Within their mind, he opens door,

  'cross their face, emotions pour.

What moods and faces surface forth ?

  Have we found a new report ?

So is his craft, his artistry,

 drawing deep from feelings, key.

Find a face unique in one,

  memorialize, quintessent sum.

At last on canvas, quixotic grin,

  bespeaks the soul from deep within.

A timeless portrait, halts outrage,

  stops the tides of raging age.