Shape of things to come, John Lyons (30 x 25 cm, oil on canvas)

A map of the face
        incomplete
a few salient features
        a few boundaries
unworldly colours
        applied impasto
cautionary
        exploratory

the gaze is there
        the expression
all that the artist
        assumes
that the viewer
        will see
the broad forehead
        darkness and light
an air of authority
        ermine and red velvet
princely or despotic
        shape of things to come

John Lyons