We can’t return, we can only look,

behind from where we came,

and go round and round and round

in the circle game.

 

-“The Circle Game”, lyrics by Joni Mitchell

 

I wanted to paint a portrait of you,

but I went ‘round and ‘round in a circle game;

the part in your hair,

the curve of your nose,

I spent hours painting your eyes.

The Russian dancer Nijinsky once said,

I like to look in the mirror up close;

close up, it’s as if there is only one eye.

I will build a stage, round like the eye

and upon that stage

I will dance, he said.

I wanted to paint a portrait of you;

I looked behind from where I came.

Your mouth, your nose,

your fingers and toes;

you built the stage I dance upon

and now when I look in the mirror up close

I see the portrait I wanted to paint.

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