Family Portraits

I was looking through my box of books: searching for some poems

Couldn’t find what I wanted but I found something else

My old sketch pad; from many years ago

Pictures I’d sketched of my nieces: from way back in November 1983

Rachel in her school uniform: looks like from Grade One

Leesa from that same date: I drew them from school photographs

They were rather still and quiet: one of Samantha aged just ten

Wow! She looks just like she did back then!

Vivienne looks so serious in her starched white collar

Not even a hint of a smile!

Another one of Leesa; with her cheeky grin!

Then Vivienne again; smiling this time

In her winter uniform; laughter in her eyes!

A portrait of dear Nana; without her mouth of course

She was always complaining

“Never took a good photograph” she said

Maybe because she was always saying exactly that

As her photo was being taken!

Some of hubby Tim: even a self portrait; what was I thinking?

On the next page is a drawing our Vanessa did

She wanted to draw like mum so I let her draw a portrait

Of somebody that she could see

It is undated; don’t know exactly when but I love to see it because

She showed such talent even then!

The following page is from 1987 of Vanessa herself: 
Titled “Just before Xmas 1986”

She was maybe 6 months old: with those lovely chubby cheeks

Another of my darling girl wearing a beanie 
That Grandma made: she knitted so many cardigans as well

This one was the pale blue one: I remember it very well

Cute as a button; in that photograph

The next I recall; I’d never thought I’d done her justice;
Just seemed a little odd but today as I look at it;
 I am blown away because it could be of her little boy;
 Zecarias as he is right now!

She was almost two years old when that pic was taken

Just like Zac is right now: I am so amazed to see

His little eyes and face; looking back at me!

The next pic I drew was of someone imaginary!

Then Mark Andrew on the swing in their own back yard at Kensington

I remember taking that picture; all those years ago!

‘Uncle’ George Erceg comes next; not one of my best efforts

But it his him looking out from that page in August 1991

I did that as he was sitting there; right in front of me

I feel like I had to rush a bit; he was always on the move

Fixing up this old house; to make it liveable for our family!

Tim is next; he’s aged a bit; sometime in the 1990’s

Then I must have had a break; I am not happy with this one

A portrait of Vanessa from a school photograph

In Good Shepherd’s winter uniform;

I don’t like how this turned out at all!

Just couldn’t capture what I wanted

Must have needed to practice some more!

Little Shelley in her pretty pink dress

Maybe two years old; those big eyes of hers

I got them down pat; but I haven’t caught her happiness!

Finally a portrait of Michael; unfinished of course

Done in 2003; I’ve lost my touch here

Really need to do some more drawing; that is clear!

But too many other things got in the way

Too much to do to sit and contemplate our lives

So my little book has been waiting for many a long year

Now maybe I will have the time

To draw in a few more portraits until

My little book is filled up; full of our family

There to look back upon; our growing family tree!

(I’ve got 7 pages left; so Santiago; you’re next!)