Virgil

I liked, and am starting to love this poem. Seriously, this is a great poem. You should submit it for publishing. Now just read this with an open mind and don’t start muttering to yourself ‘She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.’
I see a simple self sketch that turns into an examination of one’s self. How I’d gotten these characteristics that make me, my face features, mannerisms, etc. Throughout, the poem is set up like a conversation with oneself, a question and answer, identifying the self with roman figures. The first figure was a sinner; the I rejects that that figure has any resemblance or characteristics of him. The second figure( I’m not sure in my knowledge about religion) is a religious figure upholding the religious laws; the I rejects resemblance and characteristics of him as well. The third figure is someone enshrined, I’m not sure; but I can see something developing in your poem. The descriptions of these figures carry with an answer, an answer to that examination by the self of whether he is made of them.
Dutiful and sinner,
Pius and pagan,
The caress of family on one’s back,
Petulant engineer, cleanly shaven,
Combative tactician, with that mustache,
A writer with eyes.
Even though he is an engineer, the way he and his mannerisms are described, ‘dutiful, sinner, pius, pagan, petulant, combative,’ makes that connection of himself with the Renaissance figures in which he describes above. So in the end the I is partly( I say partly because stanza 9 are descriptions unique to you only, right?) derived from such figures: such as in which the nature of DNA functions, right?
I don’t understand this: [I wear the Renaissance like a necktie.]
Are you talking about the Renaissance period? And if so, what is the significance?
For me the necktie represents an exterior thing, not part(in a genetic make-up way) of the I in this poem; so when you say this, then I’m thrown off kilter and think that you are talking about those figures. Actually I’m not sure at all.
The question you posed at the end I felt was both rhetorical and revealing. For me it revealed that the figures in the poem has a progression all along: sin to purgatory, to ‘born again(I don’t have a better word, sorry), to enshrinement. But by creating that progression you have, at the same time, answered that question.

Thank you ktd. I think your comments are right on. You say, "I see a simple self sketch that turns into an examination of one’s self." Yes. I imagined me in front of a mirror trying to sketch myself as a self portrait.

( I say partly because stanza 9 are descriptions unique to you only, right?)

Yes.

such as in which the nature of DNA functions, right? I don’t understand this

DNA is just a link to the past. Similarity of my features go back in time and linked with a past.

[I wear the Renaissance like a necktie.] Are you talking about the Renaissance period?

Yes. I see a tie in the mirror. And my linking to the Renaissance mentality is something that is me.

For me the necktie represents an exterior thing, not part(in a genetic make-up way) of the I in this poem; so when you say this, then I’m thrown off kilter and think that you are talking about those figures. Actually I’m not sure at all

I think there are both interior and exterior things in the poem. I wasn't trying to distiguish.

The question you posed at the end I felt was both rhetorical and revealing. For me it revealed that the figures in the poem has a progression all along: sin to purgatory, to ‘born again(I don’t have a better word, sorry), to enshrinement. But by creating that progression you have, at the same time, answered that question.

I'm particularly proud of those last lines. How else does one coalesce the different parts of one's self but through a devine purgation? And the shattering of the mirror reflecting different bits was a nice touch. If I can say so myself.

One stanza I'm not particularly happy with is this:

An irascible son
De quello paise d’o sole,
Narcissistic husband,
Abbraciatta with my honey pear,
Stoic and spoiled, lustful and laughing,
Adopted citizen and patriot,
Flourishing the flag,
Inseminating the garden,
Eagle and oriole from Brooklyn.

Needs improvement I think.

Thanks again KTD for taking the time.

A figure is something very fine, meant to be used finely, if its worth and intent are known