For Art’s Sake Poem by Dónall Dempsey

You trace
a scarlet fingernail

over each drawing
with such longing.

Your middle finger
lingers

traces again
its beauty.

“These are amazing! ”

“So...sensual! ”

“Such a beautiful line! ”

“Who are they by? ”

“Some guy called
(don’t know anything about him)
Tauzin.”

“They were done
in the ‘30’s
believe it or not! ”

“Looks like they were
done just now
they’re some contemporary! ”

On scattered pages
the lovers make love

line flowing
into line

delicately
beautifully

us too
in bed

now upon the scattered pages
now upon the floor

reproduce the sinuous lines
we so admire

trace the outlines
of our own desire.

Art
for
art’s
sake?

A well hung Utamaro
smiling behind
the glass frame

catching
the setting sun.