a woman, still life

1

In van Gogh’s painting the stars whirl forever

wild geese are getting back from Africa

at the back of the shop selling Indian scarves

a mother scrambles eggs for children’s breakfast

2

In an old framed photo

a girl runs the length

of a wooden bridge

the river roars and hums below

the girl doesn’t need to drown

she doesn’t know that she knows

the song

3

From the wall Hathor, an Egyptian goddess

sees a woman wearing a bohemian dress

bare feet recall last night staccato

green roses bloom on cherry red silk

the bedroom beams with rays of sudden pleasures

4 

on crocheted curtains

chickens walk in patterns

eggshells sit still 
on the kitchen table

behind the doorstep

danger sleeps forever