​Toulouse-Lautrec’s Pigalle, by Ilona Martonfi

Moulin de la Galette, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (France) 1933

​Toulouse-Lautrec’s Pigalle
 
He painted her nude
 
mouth reddest red
yellow crêpe, knitted silk.
Flame-haired.
Petticoat light pink
frumpy, 
cobblestones
buildings of ashlar 
finely cut masonry
fin-de-siècle 
18e arrondissement 
Belle Époque artists.
Open-air restaurants
outdoor dancing
 
bal musette
with accordion band
swing concerts
 
waltz, tango.
White wine
moules-frites
 
mussels and fries
la Rive Droite
when night falls
Butte Montmartre
 
Place Pigalle and rue des Abbesses
Sacré-Cœur on its summit.

Ilona Martonfi

Ilona Martonfi is an editor, poet, curator, advocate and activist. Author of four poetry books, the most recent collection is Salt Bride (Inanna, 2019). Forthcoming, The Tempest (Inanna, 2021). Writes in journals, anthologies, and five chapbooks. Her poem “Dachau on a Rainy Day” was nominated for the 2018 Pushcart Prize. Artistic director of Visual Arts Centre Reading Series and Argo Bookshop Reading Series. QWF 2010 Community Award.