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Girl with an Old Painting

Forgive me, if I fail to concentrate on the old painting. I have seen it many times before. I know it well, I can see it when I close my eyes. I came and looked at it every day until at last I almost understood; but you are new here, so now I shall look at you.

I know that man, and how limply he holds his hat. I notice that you weren’t surprised when you saw he was reading texts off an iPhone 5s. Most people see it, but choose not to believe. I know that woman and how she protects the impish puppy in her lap. I know that patient child who waits  endlessly for her distracted father. I know that old dog who teeters with indecision. Will he go to the man, or the child? Will he sit indoors, or play outside? Will he stay in the past, or run to the future? The tiled stone floor is cool under his paws.

In the distance a couple meet, one in a black coat, one in brown. I do not know them so well. If you listen carefully you can hear snatches of their voices; they pretend to talk of wool,  but they whisper of secret passions. In the building behind them there is a figure standing at an open window. Until today I did not fully understand. She stands with her arms folded and sweet, sleepy eyes, eyes that have seen centuries pass. She is pale and silent in a darkened room. She my dear… is you.

 

 

Blog photograph copyrighted to the photographer and used with permission by utata.org. All photographs used on utata.org are stored on flickr.com and are obtained via the flickr API. Text is copyrighted to the author, Rachel Irving and is used with permission by utata.org. Please see Show and Share Your Work