Poignant Portrait Poem by David Whalen

Startled…I pulled up short
Taken aback by melancholy eyes
The visage in the portrait tore
My sight in deep surprise

A wistful smile purveyed in lambent oil
A silent plea her image comprised
"Please remain, a meager moment's toil
Allow me your attentions…let us both surmise"

I…in momentary transfixion held
By mysterious confliction of canvas and eye
The "fixed in forever" person within
That but for a moment had come alive

The magic moment slowly ceased to persist
Our gaze slowly broken
As fades the fog, …the morning mist
We communed, tho' had ne'er spoken

Her request, unspoken, writ upon my back
As I moved to the portrait next
In quiescent plea, pled "remain with me"
I yet perceive her tacit text