I’ve heard of these referred as “Chinese Portrait”, but I can’t find the historical relevance or etymology which makes me think that it doesn’t come from Chinese ancestry at all. Does anyone know? Please share your sources?
The idea of it, however, is sound.
After the prompt, answer from your heart, or, as I like to say, let your fingers do the walking.
But even I don’t always work that way. With some of these, like the seven wonders of the world – I read up on it, then answered. Others, like my favourite meal, I couldn’t remember the word for it – I always think, chicken tikka masala when my favourite food is actually massaman.
Either way, the because, description, or explanation often leapt from the fingers once the single item was written.
And then I knew it was true.
And sometimes I didn’t write any explanation at all.
Which is also true.
So, this is me. If I were something else.
I’d love to hear your versions, too – feel free to copy the prompts – or make new ones – and fill in your own versions.
Let’s get to know one another better.
If I were an animal, I’d be a chameleon because I change my colors depending on my environment.
If I were a song, I’d be Bad Guy by Billie Eilish because you can’t help but dance along.
If I were an artist, I’d be Isadora Duncan, dancing with scarves and rebelling against constraints.
If I were a color, I’d be blue or green like the ocean, depending on the sun and rain, location, and depth.
If I were a spice, I’d be ginger, easily peeled with a spoon.
If I were a sport, I’d be the escape room world championship.
If I were a historical year, I’d be 1976.
If I were a writer, I’d be predictable stream of consciousness that probably doesn’t use too many capital letters or grammar but i don’t even know who that might be. Or I’d be Richard Bach. Cause #MiraclesHappen
If I were my favourite dessert, I’d be crème brûlée with burnt tough sugar on the outside and silky smooth custard underneath forged with a blowtorch. You thought I was going to say cupcake, didn’t you. NOPE! But definitely a close second.
If I were my favorite meal, I’d be massaman curry with roasted, salty peanuts, avocado, potatoes, sticky rice, and naan fresh from the oven.
If I were one of the seven wonders of the world, I’d be the Great Pyramid of Giza because I still exist.
If I were a movie, I’d be American Beauty twisting the definitions of ‘beautiful’ and ‘ugly’ to change the status quo.
If I were one of the five elements, I’d be water, cause RAIN, with a ton of fire, cause ANGER, which makes me STEAM, venting out of the earth from a hot springs or setting off the smoke detector after a long hot shower.
If I were a sin, I’d be wrath or envy but I’m working on it, I swear.
If I were a fabric, I’d be a customized print sewn into a programmable fabulously tailored jumper with pockets.
If I were a verb, I’d be laugh. Or think. Or jump. Or FIGHT. Or decide. SO PICK ONE, LEANDER.
If I were an adjective, I’d be energetic. Like a battery. Except everlasting.
If I were a jewel, I’d be amber with a carefully preserved dinosaur fossil encased within.
If I were one of the 5 senses, I’d be touch because the physical is the closest to my heart.
If I were a country, I’d be Japan and Sweden and the Netherlands. But not the United States. Not right now. Someday again, I hope.
And you? What would you be?
Who are YOU?