Grandpa With Objects

A canvas filled with shapes,
and many obscure faces, open-mouthed,
Miniature carvings from men and women,
whose names cannot be pronounced,
The sculpture of Venus, half-yellowed,
the vulnerable look of ancient love still
wavering in her eyes
The lilies tinted white and blue,
with tastes of sugar and sometimes vanilla,
the water fountains that drip on till the first morning light,
And his journals, scribbled on and blotted out and unread.

Alice Bellan