Throughout history, Artists have used women as models, often not even telling who they were. At 5am, I awoke from a dream inspired to write this poem to give credit to all the women who have been an inspiration. Can't even remember the dream! This is just one of the portraits, but all the great Artists seem to have had their muses and been guilty of not giving credit.
Portrait of a Seated Lady
By Freidrich August Von Kaulbach
If only to have known what pains the artist took to set the pose,
Or thoughts that ran through the poser's head,
Whilst stillness crept on for hours,
Were there dreams perhaps of an admirer,
Or did she simply wish to stretch in bed.
Just how did the women's thoughts stray?
Was she shopping perhaps for a new bonnet,
Or imaging making love to her artist?
A shame, we will not know it to this day.
Was she reflecting upon the path her life had taken?
Or flirting with her artist's eyes... if only to imagine,
How must his mouth taste and skin feel?
As these thoughts, he now awakened.
Was it merely a commissioned piece?
Or was She the Artist's passion,
A tension, perhaps as yet unfulfilled,
As their contract of eyes just did not cease,
The Artist is the one to get the Acclaim,
But what of the poser's dedication to the work?
The hours spent in thoughts with her musings,
So sad, we often don't even get to know her name!
Marilyn Cavanaugh 2022
