ManicDDaily

Leger, Fernand- 1921

Clothing Statues

It’s not so much the copper fig leaves
as the red velvet sleeves
I wonder at–the belled robe on the
enamel-faced Madonna, the trim of
seed pearls edged by rough
stitching, while wedged
below the carved curls
of a wooden Christ the drape
of sateen cape, doubling some
seasons for the Babe’s bright
swaddling.

Further East (or West), Buddha’s
bronze chest is vested
winters in knitted wool; while Vishnu
sports an orange bib; silk
scarfs, marigold
necklaces,
collect blessings.

Cozy icons, divine
mufflers – when heaven’s chill
descends, we rub our arms
with cupped palms.

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I am posting the above for The Mag (134), which features a pictorial prompt hosted by Tess Kincaid.  The poem was inspired by the Fernand Leger painting above – which felt to me like a sculpture with a black muffler.  The poem itself concerns the practice of clothing religious statues – pretty common both in Christian churches (especially Catholic) and in Buddhist and Hindu shrines.