After ‘La Sargantain’ by Ramon Casas
It’s there, between your legs,
his mastery of folds, insinuation.
The merit’s really yours: no trick
of composition holds the gaze
as does the language of your form
and face – morose, libidinous.
That thrust of collarbone uncoached,
the armrest groped in steadying or propulsion,
the smudge of emotion’s rouge.
He arranges you in furs, wimple.
The weary sensuality’s all yours; his,
a slap in the face that first time he explores you
with his pencil. Passion does that.
Over the years his finds expression
in more subtle ways – the bedroom walls
that yellow ochre of your rumpled dress.
You stiffen, matronly in domestic scenes.
Hind-spied, dewlapped, still speaking volumes.
Sophie Segura was born in Dublin and now lives in Buenos Aires. Her poetry has been published in journals such as The Well Review and Banshee and New Binary Press anthology Autonomy edited by Kathy D’Arcy. She has also written (as Sophie Parker) for The Irish Times, Time Out and the Buenos Aires Herald.
More work by Sophie Segura
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