Empty Canvas Poem by Saju Abraham

The smell of colours and paints
filled the room with warmth;
The scorching summer’s heat
and the sweat of bodies lingered.
She stood bathed in the golden light
of the exotic chandeliers around.

He held her chin to bring it into light,
he stretched her hand up above her head,
until her womanhood was complete.
He painted all his aroused emotions,
onto the large canvas before him.
Every move in her he splashed on the canvas.

She came everyday and he painted her;
she danced and he danced with her.
She came again the next many days;
he danced with her and painted no more.
Then one day she stopped coming.
He waited for her and often danced.

He roamed the street to find her.
Then one day he saw her walk along the street,
in tottered dress and knotted hair,
with a child by her side.
He hurried behind her to catch her turn.
Turn she did but he didn't know her.
He went home and picked up his brush,
but all he did was stare at the empty canvas.