Advertise Here
Want to advertise here? Get started for as little as $5
The Artist's Dilemma

The Artist's Dilemma

A Poem by David Lewis Paget

The wind blew in and the wind blew out

And it surged around the eaves,

The door out to the patio slammed

And the yard filled up with leaves,

Then Susan sighed, ‘There’s goes my ride,

I was going to take the mare,

Now what can we do on a Sunday when

The wind’s so wild out there?’

 

Her aunt lay back on the couch and stared

At me, with her doe-black eyes,

Not much older than Susan, she

Was Venus, in disguise,

Her fingers ran through her coal-black hair

And her hand smoothed down her thigh,

‘Why don’t you ask the artist, dear,

Before his paints run dry.’

 

I’d finished painting the background in

Of the leaves that swirled in the air,

But put my palette aside and turned

To look for her meaning there,

Then Susan laughed, as she always did:

‘Do you mean that you’d be game?

I’ve only modelled alone before

But two? It would be insane!’

 

Imelda slowly uncurled herself

Rose steadily to her feet,

‘I’ll be the older matron, while

You shall be young, and sweet.’

I shrugged, effecting a nonchalance

That I didn’t really care,

But said, ‘Okay, I can paint you,

Put your clothes on the old armchair.’

 

I played about with my palette, mixed

The tones in a kind of blush,

Squeezed the Titanium White, and mixed

It in with the tip of my brush,

And when I finally turned around

They were stood, stark naked there,

I said, ‘Clasp hands, then back to back,

And Sue, let down your hair.’

 

I’d painted my wife a thousand times

So I knew each curve and line,

But Imelda, this was the first I’d seen

And I caught my breath in time,

Her black hair over her shoulders and

Her breasts, so firm and white,

Her hips the marvel of womanhood

And her thighs - a man’s delight!

 

I turned on back to the easel, tried

To steady my shaking hand,

I thought of myself as an artist,

Underneath it, I was a man!

And Imelda caught a glimpse of that

As her lips curled in a smile,

She knew that my heart was pounding,

But my lust would wait for a while.

 

That painting hangs on the passage wall

And visitors stare in awe,

At the vision of womanly beauty

That the eyes of the artist saw,

And Imelda bridles at compliments

Then gives me the evil eye,

She’s often said, there’s a place in bed,

But I shake my head, with a sigh!

 

David Lewis Paget

© 2012 David Lewis Paget


My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Featured Review

Your poetry, as always, is impecable. This time you led the reader through a gamut of emotions and thoughts as temptation seized the artist. Very sensual yet saying nothing at all lurid... just alluring. Beautiful and, in the end, noble. Women love a man with such great self control so much so that he is allowed his sighs.

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

Caught between a rock and a hard place. I feel the artists pain.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Your ability to craft a wonderful story with such a style is a delight to read. I love the many facets to this poem. Such an alluring temptation, not lost on the wife. I love the humanity laced within such a situation.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Imelda thought she hooked the artist with her physical beauty...She underestimated the fidelity of the artist..
~pat

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

I laughed at the awkwardness that one would feel in this situation. David you never fail to entertain.

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

This one made me giggle a little. But it helps remind me that men will always be men and there is a clear line of fidelity that separates the boys from the men. This is beautifully written and the imagery is stunning, amazing work!

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Great write , you painted this perfectly just enough longing to capture the reader .

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

I know that I do not have the right to give a review but this is the only way I can appreciate your intricate and heart-warming work ... #RESPECT

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Your poetry, as always, is impecable. This time you led the reader through a gamut of emotions and thoughts as temptation seized the artist. Very sensual yet saying nothing at all lurid... just alluring. Beautiful and, in the end, noble. Women love a man with such great self control so much so that he is allowed his sighs.

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Wonderful as always David. Loved how you described how the artist saw her, and continues to see her each day on the wall .. remembering with longing. Well done.

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Hmmm...such an exquisite dilemma! To be able to paint, dream and still be good. Good for the artist! Smartly written with a touch of the provocative.

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


First Page first
Previous Page prev
1
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

1044 Views
23 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 4 Libraries
Added on October 1, 2012
Last Updated on October 1, 2012
Tags: Aunt, paint, palette, blush

Author

David Lewis Paget
David Lewis Paget

Moonta, South Australia, Australia



About
more..

Writing

Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..