|Poem| Walking Stick

 

Walking Stick

-- To “Monique in a Gray Robe” painted by Matisse (1942)

 

Dark red finless fish on the wall

Woman in gray ceremonial dress covering body

A yellow bracelet on the arm

A red belt around the waist

Woman sitting obliquely on a chair, head held by hand

Putting her right hand on a walking stick on the left side

 

Note on the Muse:

Matisse's women don't know at all how to handle their hands.

As if relying on a walking stick, she puts her hand on the armrest of the chair.

 

© Ryang Suh, MD 2023.10.11