lonely times
a young traveller starting out
knew no one
visited you almost daily
in the national gallery
derived some solace
from your lovely gentle face
left and went elsewhere
forgot all about you
until years later when
i saw you in that hong kong bar
Portrait of Man With A Quilted Sleeve....Titian. 1510... National Gallery London
Oh I do so hope this tale is autobiographical! Either way, you've told it with beautiful economy and understatement, and I love the way the ending leaves 'what came next' open.
ReplyDeleteAh sweet mystery of life ... more, more, I want more of this poem.
ReplyDeleteA lovely surprise in Hong Kong, Rall! I hope he saw in you the Preraphaelite portrait that he was admiring almost daily in his favourite museum... :-)
ReplyDeleteErm...I don't look like a Preraphaelite painting...oh well maybe Millais Ophelia on a bad day:)
ReplyDeleteLovely poem, Rall!
ReplyDelete