Mona Lisa Musing, by Paul Waring

Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci (Italy), 1503-1505.

Mona Lisa Musing

It's all about perspective. For example, 
the imaginery landscape behind
for Leonardo was the perfect contrast 
to my reserved posture but, to me, 
is theatrical and over-the-top.

He so desperately wanted my portrait 
to depict ideal womanhood like 
the Virgin Mary yet he painted
a frumpy plain Jane housewife.

Although I’m known as La Gioconda, 
meaning jocund, I didn't see the funny 
side of that, nor the sitting for an eternity
on that rickety pozetto armchair.

There is a hint of a smile in the upturned
corners of my mouth and eyes but it’s no 
laughing matter to be stared at constantly. 
I never wanted to be famous.

You probably think I’m ungrateful and 
should be called Moaner. You’d be right,  
but I'm laughing on the other side of my
face now. As I said, it’s all about perspective.

Paul Waring

Paul Waring, a retired clinical psychologist lives in Wirral, UK. He once designed menswear and, in the 1980's, was a singer/songwriter in several Liverpool bands. His work has been widely published in magazines/sites including Reach Poetry, Eunoia Review, The Open Mouse, Poets Online and is forthcoming in Clear Poetry and Amaryllis. His blog ishttps://waringwords.wordpress.com