What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

They say that you must learn new skills

To help your ageing brain.

It opens up new pathways

And keeps your brain alive.

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I’ve dabbled with new languages

My wife wants me to dance

But so far most relaxing

Is drawing; here’s a face.

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It’s something I have never learned

At school it was not taught.

They’d simply give us paper, paint

And leave us to our selves.

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But now I’m watching YouTube

The odd tutorial.

I find it very difficult

But satisfying too.

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I’ve learned you draw

Just what you see not what you think is there.

You have to capture light and shade

To bring a face alive.

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Faces aren’t the easiest

I can’t do eyes or nose

Never can make mouths look right

And can’t at all do teeth.

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But it’s a skill I’d like to own

It simply fascinates me.

I like to watch how artists work

The subtleties they see.

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