Mona Lisas, by Portly Bard

La Gioconda, or The Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci (Italy) 1503-1506, possibly up to 1519.

The Smile Unbroken She Awaits

So softly brown they're cast, her eyes,
forever turned to fantasize
the smile unbroken she awaits,
imagined, yet that radiates

beguiling warmth of ashen glow
from ember seeking breath below
to gently raise the flickered light
of self-assurance taking flight

to show the world by shimmered gleam
the dance of faith's enhancing dream
that beauty be forevermore
the flame by which we see and soar

through darkness  we no longer fear
to simple joys that we endear.

Portly Bard

The Isleworth Mona Lisa, also known as The Other Mona Lisa, or The Earlier Mona Lisa, currently credited to Da Vinci (Italy), but debated. c. 1503-1516

The Art of Speculation

Inquiring minds could well suspect
the "Isleworth" portrait might reflect
not copy that had been inspired
but inspiration so admired

that it became indeed the source
for work of far more epic course
by master who became engaged
with subject he envisioned aged

whose beauty, softer as mature,
more haunting still by stare demure,
could speak to femininity
as consummate sanguinity

that looms as strength behind the guile
of modestly unbroken smile.

Portly Bard

Portly Bard: Old man.
Ekphrastic fan. 
 
Prefers to craft with sole intent
of verse becoming complement...
...and by such homage being lent...
ideally also compliment.