Omar And The Courtesan Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

Omar And The Courtesan



We have Japanese prints hanging on the wall.
They’re there to be enjoyed by one and all,
And with furniture placement dear,
It was decided to place the sewing cabinet near.
A safe place for the furniture
And the top was just right for vases, sure.
Until one day Omar decided that this would be a fine place
To give himself a bath, washing all, including his face,
As the vases were in danger of a move unintended
That would send them to disaster from which they couldn’t be mended,
They were moved to a safer spot
Away from the pictures and the cabinet top.

This was fine for Omar in his leisure,
As he discovered something else for his pleasure.
There in one particular Japanese print was something seen
In a background with shades of orange and green.
He was sure that it was put there for a purpose
And so sat himself down for a while to see
Whatever was there that interested him (Omar is a he.)
The courtesan with her robe spread just so
Presented an enticing picture, you should know,
And there Omar sat that day and stared
As the lady’s modesty prevent her limbs be bared.

Well and good we thought that was the end
Omar’s attention span we could not comprehend
For he sat there very patiently
Waiting for perhaps the show of a graceful knee.
Time did pass and finally Omar decided that enough was enough
And after all she would never be in the buff,
So down he hopped and to places only he knows to go
For he must have decided twas the end of the show.

Alas, the next evening just as before,
Omar returned to his spot, not to be ignored.
And watched the picture most carefully
To see if perhaps something else might be shown for free.
Just as before, he sat there and waited
Until the evening was far abated
Then away he went to other places,
As a cat does when he has good graces.

And the next day as to be expected,
There was Omar in his place, he watched and waited.
So we asked a Japanese friend
What was it that Omar’s interest seemed to suspend,
And perhaps he had a clue what it could be
That held Omar’s interest so devotedly.

“A So! ” he exclaimed when he understood.
And explained in such a way as only an Oriental could.
“It’s not his reflection, it’s the fine lady (perhaps it was a man in woman’s clothes)
That held his interest, as we had supposed.
One must read the words printed, oh so carefully
The Cat had read the script, which states most clearly:

“If one will view the picture and let your mind be free
More will be revealed as there is much to see! ”“

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success