Posts
The Portrait Artist
2016
2016
Lightning strokeswithin my familiar grid.
Erase
again,
erase and sketch
moving pencil
against my light.
Capture her values
within the portrait painter’s
code--
Asian vase
Dutch tulips
Satin and English lace
to please a patron father
and husband by
whose name she’s
known
forever.
within the portrait painter’s
code--
Asian vase
Dutch tulips
Satin and English lace
to please a patron father
and husband by
whose name she’s
known
forever.
A dress, lacetulips, vase
these are props
of Plymouth, Massachusetts
rich and famous
1765.
But what of
Mrs. George Watson’s face?
Mrs. George Watson’s face?
Her gaze is not
an apathetic
patrician stare.
an apathetic
patrician stare.
Mrs. Watson
dares me to find her
a new American woman--
direct
purposeful
unafraid
of the revolution
that births
our nation.
dares me to find her
a new American woman--
direct
purposeful
unafraid
of the revolution
that births
our nation.
Mrs. Watson and her
portrait artist
share lessons with my
fingers and my soul
no history textbook
could impart.
portrait artist
share lessons with my
fingers and my soul
no history textbook
could impart.
"A dress, lace
ReplyDeletetulips, vase"
You have done the difficult with grace here Linda.
I love the rhyme/ rhythm in these lines that is serious & potent.
The artist's discoveries are our own, thanks to this wonderful persona poem, Linda. Thank you for sharing this poetic reflection of such a courageous woman.
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