Self-Portrait as Astronaut

Poem + Prompt

1.

As long as I can remember it has been 
my dream to be an astronaut—blasting 
to celestial space in a spacecraft. 

2.

It’s a lovely dream in theory but I’m a slave 
chained to a metal ship. I live in a cell 
the size of a lion’s cage and devour 
liquid food through a tube. 

3.

My predicament reminds me of earth-life, 
only I was free. I never lived slow enough 
to acquaint myself with peace. Searching 
for another Mt. Everest to climb. 
What I wouldn't give to go back.

4.

From where I bunk a small porthole 
whirls the stars in circuits—taunting me. 
I envision new worlds I will never reach. 
The black void of space is a strange home. 

5.

I see the curvature of earth; the continents, 
the seas, the cities lit up by the sun. Scale is 
relative. All that light touches my eyes lift
in wonderment. Among the stars beauty 
swallows me completely. 

Poetry Prompt

A self-portrait poem gives a glimpse into your inner world through the lens of someone other than yourself. When writing a self-portrait poem, the aim is to put yourself in the shoes of someone else, to see how they might experience the world. You could try this out by choosing an object like a stone or a living creature like a snake. Express yourself using this format? Follow your curiosity, see where it leads.

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