Two Women in a Painting by Bonnard

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The window is open.

One of the women rests her hands on her lap

holding an object that looks like a bird 

caught between her fingers.

A dining room table is set 

She waits for a meal to begin. 

Another woman, a friend, a neighbor, 

her daughter perhaps, sits to her left

wearing shoes and stockings that are white and clean.

When a woman’s shoes are that perfect 

she never eats a meal without sorrow.

The two women look away from each other

assured that here

their eyes will never have to meet.



© Karen Karpowich

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