–after viewing Henri Matisse’s Promenade among the Olive Trees
I tread softly
through your grass-
pink as an Easter egg.
I collect black rocks,
lemon- hearted truths,
tears in stained glass dress.
I own six dogs
with coconut spots-
all named Daisy.
I own six dogs
who refuse to come
when called.
I want a Carmen Miranda hat,
a black light vacancy sign,
an ancient tree stretched
across tumbling sky-
branches all tied
in sailors’ knots.
Under that tree,
I am clinging
to the edge of your world,
counting out the buffalo heads.
Look- I am silver tinsel,
cherry eyes, lunar heart.
Look- I am waiting
for your confession priest,
your dictation machine,
your extradition sound
riding the carnival wave.
Look-
I am waiting
for the flotilla at dawn.
I am quickening
to the final stroke.
“Henri Matisse: Promenade among the Olive Trees (1975.1.194)”. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.1.194 (October 2006)
