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Terra Martin

Matisse: Woman Before an Aquarium

Her cinnamon brown hair is a tidy coiffure; her make up, simple; her blouse, a slinky material with short sleeves. Light through the water reflects and illuminates her face. She gazes at the goldfish bowl, leaning forward—arms crossed, head resting on hands.

A pine cone wreath of russet tones and acicular jade leaves is placed between the fishbowl and white note paper. The rectangular shape of the paper resembles a cheque or a list of things to do. She too is watched.

if nothing else
the flower of this plant
once positioned
will remain in place
obediently