The Visiting French Woman

Her Helen face arrests movement.
When she moves, she moves
An entire armature of great grace.

When she speaks, her words fall and break
Upon polished floors, mosaics rich with pearls--
For she keeps her Attic palace around her.

Her eyes of brown agate are parted veils.
Her self is close behind them, seated,
Waiting for the grape-filled plate, the cup of wine.

Her mouth is classic, sweet with life, and
When she speaks, her words fall again and break again
Upon her palace floor.

James Bolner, Sr. Baton Rouge, LA July, 1999