Yard Sale of Thoughts

A Matter of Reputation

Katie Frances Hartless
,
Susanna and the Elders c. 1621-1622 
Anthony van Dyck, viewed in 2021

Peering over your shoulder,
tapping above a red scarlet sheet,
nothing beneath,
the old man and his son
wait to see the goods.

Milky white
barefoot rocks
and garden hair
twining vines,
shut-off fountain fears the flow,
broken porcelain bird bath bowl,
reputation soiled.

Not every fertile ground
wants seed.
A warm statue
for men to view,
unchaperoned in the park;
enemies by day;
allies by dark.

© 2021 | K.Hartless

15 responses to “A Matter of Reputation”

  1. johnlmalone Avatar
    johnlmalone

    a nasty story but a great painting; I love your descriptions but didn’t understand the last two lines —

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. K.Hartless Avatar
    K.Hartless

    Men and women-enemies by day/allies by dark. Maybe works? It needs tweaking doesn’t it.

    Like

    Reply
  3. Colleen M. Chesebro Avatar
    Colleen M. Chesebro

    Excellent!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Priti Avatar
    Priti

    Wonderful! 👌👌

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Many thanks. 😁

      Like

      Reply
      1. Priti Avatar
        Priti

        Welcome .do read my blog also.😂

        Like

  5. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Very powerful commentary about the ongoing daily challenges women face from unwanted admirers, all across time. That final verse was a brilliant ending!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Tom. It was written last year when I visited the Alte Pinakothek. It came to mind and so I posted it. When I viewed this painting, I wondered, how long has this sort of thing been standard?

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  6. Jaya Avendel Avatar
    Jaya Avendel

    Oo, what stunning, contrasting imagery! Loving the emotion and narrative within. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you. Reputation. Is it still something to worry about? From where I sit, yes. 💜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Carolyn Crossley VixenOfVerse Avatar
    Carolyn Crossley VixenOfVerse

    This is so well thought out and I understood your last two lines. No tweaking is required. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Oh, thank you very much. It’s reassuring what was written makes sense. I appreciate your comment, and I’m sorry it didn’t get responded to sooner. 💜

      Like

      Reply
  8. Jeff Flesch Avatar
    Jeff Flesch

    “shut-off fountain fears the flow,
    broken porcelain bird bath bowl,” That, my friend, is epic. Love this poems strength too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Oh, thank you, Jeff. The fountains are are turning off here these days. Apparently so is my comment notification. Thank you ever so kindly. 💜

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to K.Hartless Cancel reply

Trending