16th April 2020

aquilegia
threatening to flower
morning heat

© Rachel Green 2020

Artist's Request

Pray, sit for me a while and let me paint
the lucious beauty of your face and bring
the way the sun highlights a subtle taint
of rot into your alabaster skin;
your rheumy eye sunk back into the skull
and gums receding to the jaw; display
the teeth in saffron shades to show the pull
of time upon this daughter of decay.
The scent of lavender imbues the cloth
with which you drape your shuffling form; a shame
it covers not the scent the grave has wroth
but there is nowhere else to place the blame.
But wait! Why dost though quit thy pose for me?
Though you be you young, I paint tranquility.

© Rachel Green 2020