woman on a quilt

WOMAN ON A QUILT


Louche and somewhat overweight,
lazy, lying on a quilt,
maybe waiting for a date,
smoking without signs of guilt,
bluer than the quilt her mood,
and the spirit not quite fresh,
while the arms and shoulders nude
promise pleasure of the flesh,
as do both her outstretched legs
and fleshy thighs that striped pants cover.
She is ready, never begs
for either male or female lover,
secure, because she’s read in books
which lie beside her feet that life
can offer more than that, and looks
unwilling to become a wife.

Inspired by Suzanne Valadon’s “La chamber bleue,” which is part of an exhibition, “elles@centrepompidou,” that features hundreds of works by female artists only, reviewed by Suzanne Muchnic in the LA Times on May 24, 2009.

© 2009 Gershon Hepner 5/24/09