Anthony van Dyck, viewed in 2021
Peering over your shoulder,
tapping above a red scarlet sheet,
nothing beneath,
the old man and his son
wait to see the goods.
Milky white
barefoot rocks
and garden hair
twining vines,
shut-off fountain fears the flow,
broken porcelain bird bath bowl,
reputation soiled.
Not every fertile ground
wants seed.
A warm statue
for men to view,
unchaperoned in the park;
enemies by day;
allies by dark.
© 2021 | K.Hartless
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
a nasty story but a great painting; I love your descriptions but didn’t understand the last two lines —
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Men and women-enemies by day/allies by dark. Maybe works? It needs tweaking doesn’t it.
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Excellent!
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Thank you. 😁
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Wonderful! 👌👌
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Many thanks. 😁
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Welcome .do read my blog also.😂
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Very powerful commentary about the ongoing daily challenges women face from unwanted admirers, all across time. That final verse was a brilliant ending!
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Thank you, Tom. It was written last year when I visited the Alte Pinakothek. It came to mind and so I posted it. When I viewed this painting, I wondered, how long has this sort of thing been standard?
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Oo, what stunning, contrasting imagery! Loving the emotion and narrative within. ❤
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Thank you. Reputation. Is it still something to worry about? From where I sit, yes. 💜
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This is so well thought out and I understood your last two lines. No tweaking is required. 🙂
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Oh, thank you very much. It’s reassuring what was written makes sense. I appreciate your comment, and I’m sorry it didn’t get responded to sooner. 💜
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“shut-off fountain fears the flow,
broken porcelain bird bath bowl,” That, my friend, is epic. Love this poems strength too.
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Oh, thank you, Jeff. The fountains are are turning off here these days. Apparently so is my comment notification. Thank you ever so kindly. 💜
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