La Vue de la Maison Rouge

This is an ekphrastic piece based on Matisse's "Conversation". It is designed to be read line for line, but also tells interesting stories if you read only the italicized lines or standard type lines.

The two in nightclothes

              in the house across the yard

talk much too softly,

              but they say the most fascinating things.

 

The man wears striped sleepwear

              he’s been pulled from bed early to face his wife, the judge.

and looks guilty

              adultery, no doubt. Alcoholism, too, and gambling.

 

The woman wears a dark robe

              wears a practiced scowl, ten times as dark

and looks ready to leave

              or to strike the swine, as he deserves

             

The man has one hand in his pocket

              but leaves one free to defend himself, if need be

and looks pleadingly out his window

              There’s no helping men as far gone as him.

and keeps himself just out of reach of her poised legs.

             

 

The oak tree in the garden heard it all.

              The woman will die within the year

              The man is afraid; funny how much that looks like guilt

The man refuses to let her leave him

The oak tree will see him soon

Reviews

[lua]

this is incredibly written - such a creative use of the different typeface, can see the inspiration behind this in every line