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Picture on the Parlor Wall

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Craig's Picture on the Parlor Wall Contest  ~  9/26/24

She'd been staring at me since I can recall. A da Vinci saccharine smile painted on her lips that I'd traced with fingertips in my youth. Forsooth wondering, "Who are you, comely lady, and why does no one ever mention your name?" Eyes of melancholy, but not a tear had she spilled. For years now, I'd asked that the truth be told why she'd been given a place on the parlor wall, yet no one speaks of her with honor or a trace of how gracefully she sat on that stiff backed chair. A fetching look adorned the face of this exquisite lass, whose lustrous raven hair was released from its chignon. What sin had she committed that's kept her story hidden and her name omitted or deleted from the family Bible? In gold gilded frame, what blame does she still carry? What thrust and parry duel must she have fought, perhaps for love. Her presence hangs in oils but despoiled. Aged painting of this alluring woman remains a mystery to me, but I see in her eyes, a familiarity I recognize each time I peer into the mirror on the vestibule wall.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 10/10/2024 7:42:00 AM
Very cool, Lin! Congratulations on your win! Fave.
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Lin Lane
Date: 10/10/2024 8:09:00 AM
Thanks a bunch, Kim. I didn't want to stop writing about this one.
Date: 10/9/2024 5:48:00 AM
Congratulations Lin on your most deserved win, your poem bears all the hallmarks of a classic. A beautiful read. Danny
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Lin Lane
Date: 10/9/2024 6:28:00 AM
Thank you very much for your kind thoughts, Danny.
Date: 10/9/2024 4:00:00 AM
Lin, an excellent poem. I enjoyed your description of the painting to be both melancholy and mysterious, what a story she could tell. Congratulations on your top placement in the contest.
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Lin Lane
Date: 10/9/2024 4:30:00 AM
Good morning and thank you for enjoying my descriptive lines. She took on a life once I found the portrait.
Date: 10/8/2024 5:05:00 PM
Congratulations on your win dear Lin!
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Lin Lane
Date: 10/9/2024 4:29:00 AM
Thank you so very much, Karen. I just left you a congrats comment on your winner.
Date: 9/27/2024 3:24:00 PM
You certainly brought her to life with your descriptive write Lin ... if only the paintings could talk ! hugs jan xx
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/27/2024 6:15:00 PM
Thank you for seeing her as I do, Jan. She was a German woman, married to a Russian. I want to think she was happy with life. I'll just believe she was in the 1800s.
Date: 9/26/2024 9:06:00 PM
Before I leave I just wanted to take a moment to say what an extraordinary poet you Truly are, your words never fail to touch my heart. I love the lines A da Vinci saccharine smile painted on her lips that I'd traced with fingertips in my youth as well the ending, a familiarity I recognize each time I peer into the mirror on the vestibule wall. Danny x
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/27/2024 4:44:00 AM
Thank you, Danny for the compliment and your friendship. I wasn't sure how this poem would end but I wanted to see a bit of me through her eyes. She's a bit of a mystery, but in her slightly disheveled state I see that she's been loved. Bon voyage and le bonheur de la vie.
Date: 9/26/2024 10:45:00 AM
Haunting and mesmerizing all at the same time, Lin! This enigmatic portrait prompts some beautiful poetic musings and questions from you and your muse. Love the line about the duel! Best wishes for a win! Blessings. BTW - are you in Helene's path? Sending prayers.
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/27/2024 4:46:00 AM
Thank you very much, Sam. All is well with my family. Lots of wind and rain but only slight damage.
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/26/2024 9:30:00 PM
In my prayers as this wild lady blows through town.
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/26/2024 12:52:00 PM
Hi, Sam and thank you for your thoughtful remarks. I had the displeasure of a visit from Hurricane Francine a few weeks ago. Helene is visiting my daughter in Winter Garden tonight. It's a suburb on the fringes of Orlando. Praying all stays sturdy because Helene is a bigger windbag that Francine. Thanks for your concern. ;-)
Date: 9/26/2024 10:15:00 AM
Great poem. Always a winner.
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/26/2024 12:50:00 PM
Thank you.
Date: 9/26/2024 6:49:00 AM
gee, I wonder who will place second in the contest....an alluring write Lin.
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/26/2024 7:57:00 AM
John, your humor is only, but barely, outdone by your poetic wit. It's a Craig contest and usually I get an N/A. I do it for the challenge. This one didn't present itself as a means to rhyme and since I didn't 'go there' it was mostly a 'just shut up and write kinda moment. Thanks for being you.
Date: 9/26/2024 5:30:00 AM
More brilliant writing from your gifted pen Lin, when going around stately homes I often see paintings like that and wonder what their stories are. Good luck in the contest. Tom
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Lin Lane
Date: 9/26/2024 5:47:00 AM
Merci, Tom. I found her portrait after writing this one early this morning. She seemed to fit exactly the kind of woman I envisioned. I checked to see if it was AI disapproved. HAHA Not paranoid at all but it checked out as being 100% by my own hand.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things