Poignant Poetry

one looks at portraits, or does the portrait look at you

Startled…twas, I pulled up short
Taken aback by melancholy eyes
The visage in the portrait tore
My sight in deep surprise

A wistful smile purveyed in lambent oil
A silent plea her image comprised
“Please remain, a meager moment’s toil
Allow me your attentions…let us both surmise”

I…in momentary transfixion held
By mysterious confliction of canvas and eye
The “fixed in forever” person within
That but for a moment had come alive

The magic moment slowly ceased to persist
Our gaze slowly broken
As fades the fog,…the morning mist
We communed, tho’ had ne’er spoken

Her request, unspoken , writ upon my back
As I moved to the portrait next
In quiescent plea, pled “remain with me”
I yet perceive her tacit text

Author's Note

Written intentionally archaic/inspired by Charles Dicken's "Oliver twist"