Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Interesting, Mona.




Interesting, that look you have.
Nothing I would want hanging round me
but I would recognize you anywhere.
Boobs so contained. Nose so long. Big hands.
Strange hairline for this day and time.
I’d remember you.

At the Louvre I think it will be interesting
to see you in person. If it isn’t too crowded,
if I have lunch first so I won’t be hungry,
if there are no shops nearby to peruse.

There you are in front of me
I part the crowd as best I can, one small step
at a time. We make eye contact you and I.
I can’t turn away, can’t see anyone else in the room.

I take as long as it takes to get closer, the world goes dim
in periphery. I see you follow me as I make my way.
I feel the tears drop onto my cheeks, I think there must be a leak
in the roof. Why would I cry over something I’ve seen
so many times. Interesting.

18 comments:

Peggy said...

Oh that magic Mona. She is kind of an odd looking person really. Don't you wonder what her story really was?

Mary said...

Judy, I DID see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. What amazed me was how small the actual painting was. Truly I had expected it to be MUCH larger. When I saw it, it was covered with bullet-proof glass and a guard stood with it. But you are right, her eyes do follow you; and they are haunting. There is no other painting I've seen that accomplishes that. She definitely is one of the most recognizable women in the world!

Shersim said...

There is something about her gaze, as though she will confide her secret any moment. Yes, she is small in real life. Surprising.

Willow said...

Of everything at the Louvre, the Mona Lisa was the one I most wanted to see. She is beguiling and yet there is an oddness about "her." Some have said it is a self- portrait of Di Vinci.

Willow said...

I too, Mary, was amazed at how small the painting was.

gautami tripathy said...

Very very good...yes, she is mysterious...


spiral

Sreeja said...

You painted the thoughts and feelings connected with this beautiful painting so well.....with your words...

Judy Roney said...

I had the same thoughts when I saw her as you did, Mary and Willow. She was so tiny and she was so far away that I thought I wouldn't even bother to get closer..until I did.Wow! I still wonder what makes a painting great. I see great paintings and still don't know.

George S Batty said...

maybe it's the eyes...maybe the mystery of who she was...some say it is really a self portrait of the master...I say she represents a true woman...hauntingly beautiful...regal...shy...alluring...there waiting...but unavailable...we want to touch but cannot...

Helen said...

Wonderful! I have seen her at the Louvre .. it was a very emotional experience for me. So much has been written about her, music created for her ... I'm glad you chose her to write about.

Brian Miller said...

oh but every time i see her she is just as captivating...mona is def one of the few paintings that just do that every time...nice capture...

Ann said...

Hope you get to see Mona soon, Judy. It is a haunting work. So many people told me it was smaller than they expected that I was ready for a miniature. No, just a normal sized painting that lives large.

Gerry Snape said...

I love the line ...nothing I would want hanging around me....great thoughts on an icon of art. thankyou

my heart's love songs said...

i love how you combined our familiarity with this painting and the magnificence of the reality. wonderful!

thank you for joining in at Poetry Jam!


dani

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Interesting poem and comments in here this morning, kids. I so enjoyed the visit!

Mary B. Mansfield said...

I love your take on a woman who has become such an iconic image in society...I dream of being able to stand in her presence one day!

Judy Roney said...

What I find interesting now after reading your comments is that I think of her as a woman, a person. I know there is no evidence that she even existed beyond DiVinci's mind. She is truly amazing but I didn't think so until I saw her (it).

Ashling said...

This is so great! Thoughtful, funny, making her so real & , well, human!