Interior, Morning (Poetry)

( A Painting by Patrick William Adam )

Outside a froth of jasmine in full bloom
lends its splash of springtime colour to the room
and through one open window morning sends
a scented breath of air. Soft yellow blends
where sunlight casts a net of shadow-checks
transforming floating dust to fiery flecks
and sun-warmed wood gives off the polished glow
of chestnut while the faded rug below
restored to subtle squares of mellow gold
seems gracious in the light of being old.

A quiet expectant atmosphere pervades
shy alchemy — intrinsic — masquerades
this timeless room made feminine with flowers
posied in a bowl as fragrant hours
mark her absence with a patient mood
near-tangible — elusive and subdued.
As though she who woke so recently inside
has slipped away and left the door flung wide —
a vacant cage illuminated — hung
with gilded chains and shifting bars of sun.