Orange Pores, by Theodore Eisenberg

Untitled, by Barbara Frey (USA). 2018.

Orange Pores

Open sesame. Her canvas summons
me from her easel to come hither.
Opening to awe, as a studio window
opens to light -- yet conjures the yard’s
back side. Outside/inside -- side-by-
 
side. Below the painting’s midriff, 
another window – burnt sun. A vine
sprouts through tigress hue. Hither/
thither, furtive marigold plays hide/
show through steel-blue sheen. Grey
 
branches scribble apricot dreams,
grow long on linseed oil. Three black
birds lounge on a semblance of a limb.
The frowzy pair on the right need
preening. Perhaps, they’ve fought
 
to a draw, failing to charm the third,
a victor’s mate, who bows her head.
Perhaps, she lures with self-absorption,
or hears a suitor say, not worth the fray,
and turns away to treat herself to aphids.
 
Nearby, a white conga line, libertine as
an Argentine tango. One crow takes me
to task, can’t birds aspire without a peanut
gallery? Perhaps, this klatch limns avian
equality. Perhaps, the fiery window isn’t
 
desire, and wanton gazes draw away.
But if glances swoop into the amber
hold; or wings entwine in white cord –
bound by the life-line of the painter’s
palm? Long ago, these beguiled travelers
 
happed upon this emblazoned tree; alit
at this twiggy haunt for ripe berries and
fraternity; nestled, birthed young, swapped
caws of close calls with hawks. I peer –
recall tangerine – a mute fourth, clipt talon.

Theodore Eisenberg

Theodore Eisenberg: "By way of background -- I am married, with four children and six grandchildren. I retired from the practice of labour law in 2014 to write every day. I had been managing partner for almost ten years, which gave me the opportunity to learn something of how the world works. 

My poems have appeared in The Listening Eye, Midstream, Jewish Literary Magazine, The Aurorean, Podium, Poetica, Thema, Rattle, Halfway Down the Stairs, Slipstream Press, Crosswinds Press, Lighthouse Literary Journal, Main Street Rag, concis, Philadelphia Stories  and The Ragged Sky Anthology. My chapbook, This, was published by Finishing Line Press in March, 2017."