Caravaggio Eyes

[bi_janus]

For Valentine’s Day 2018

Caravaggio Eyes
Bi Janus

In Summer at the Borghese
I first glimpsed you
First was held by your eyes
Wanted to drink
From the hollow
Above your collar bone
Be held as you held
The overflowing basket

Then in the Fall
In the hallway outside
Of Physics class
I looked again at those eyes
Wished to look away
But was held fast
Wondering at the mouth
And its plain question

For want of an answer
A universe turned to vapor
As I look out at the river
Five decades since
I regret failing to seize
That wonderful mouth

 

Boy with a Basket of Fruit (1593-94) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

[DesDownunder]

How wonderful, I felt like I was looking at, not only the painting, but also the model. 

bi_janus, you have captured  more than just a description of Caravaggio's painting.

[Merkin]

So bittersweet, to have stumbled upon a real-life analog to an artistic vision--and so human, to fail to seize the moment.  A wonderful poem for all of us who have spent hours musing over what we should have done.

[Camy]

Props, Bi Janus. Just wonderful. To be read many times.
I hope you don't mind me inserting an aide-mémoire for:

...'held fast
Wondering at the mouth
And its plain question'

 

Boy with a Basket of Fruit (1593-94) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio