ManicDDaily

Jan Steen, “Sick Woman,” 1665

Every week Tess Kincaid of Magpie Tales posts a pictorial prompt to be used as a writing exercise.  This week’s was a very cool painting by Jan Steen which brought to my mind a similar painting (at least in terms of costuming) by Johannes Vermeer (posted below.)  I am also linking this to dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night, hosted by Joe Hesch.

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The Girl Not Wearing (At Just This Moment) The Pearl Earring

She found a model’s life not as portrayed.
Hours sitting passed as years – her mind glazed
like the buffed veneers –
And talk about Vermeer–Johannes V.==
He demanded picture perfect, that was he!
She had to stand too==ugh!  While jolly old Jan S.,
leavened sessions with a partner, so, “why, yes,”
she’d said, to the palpating of posed wrist,
and yes again when palpate took a twist
from arm to breast to hip to inner thigh
as they’d played ‘doctor’–not so patient–(sigh….)

Which meant:  she stood once more for Master V.
who didn’t mind the curve of tummy’s “C.”
The jacket still fit great–okay, so maybe
the skirt waist had to be let out–”Don’t worry,” Johannes said,
“for now just please, oh please, don’t move your head.”

Johannes Vermeer, “Woman Holding a Balance”, around 1665

Check out both dVerse and Magpie Tales. And, also, if you have time, check out my books! Poetry, GOING ON SOMEWHERE, (by Karin Gustafson, illustrated by Diana Barco). 1 Mississippi -counting book for lovers of rivers, light and pachyderms, or Nose Dive, a very fun novel that is perfect for a pool or beachside escape. Nose Dive is available on Kindle for just 99 cents!