Friday, April 26, 2024

The Economy of Desires’ Sights Granted and Denied (On an August Rococo Mannerist Painting)

 


On a famous rococo canvas, a pretty lady swings 

in a Cupid’s roll that drives her through the air high

between a plentitude and feast of splendid shades 

and a plethora of lifts through the garden’s lights.


Oh, isn’t love made of light and dark like a page,

speaking black on white through its coils and curls

when aptly spread—just as off her revealed toes

flies her slipper cast and diced to try this one hap


between feathers of a dizzy flight and the fetters

that seek to catch and fetch her merry coasting hind

while the chosen lover gulps the privilege of sight 


that sways and slings over him ajar as he lies down

on the ground in the bushes of her purlieu’s privet

where aglow the saluted lark coos and bills in turn?


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