The Pose

She looks into the artist’s face
A pose his eyes so gently trace
And from the softness of a brush
Is rendered a most subtle blush

Her face depicts a moment’s whim
Her slightest urge enraptures him
In somber light that would expose
A smile in tones of indigos

Perpetual is the face that smiles
In plain demeanor that beguiles
With unknown the source of inner glee
Except to her whose eulogy

Was painted from a pallet’s hues
Of sorrow’s dark and misty blues
For in the gloom of shadow’s dim
He knew the smile was not for him

Across the centuries and the miles
Her lovely portrait ever smiles
A secret brushed in hallowed paint
A passing smile so dear and faint

She posed for him in pondering form
A serious face to be adorned
By just a momentary thought
Which artist eye so gently caught

Oh, Mona Lisa, tell us who
Brought out the inner joy in you
Engraving so indelibly
A smile that lives eternally

Elizabeth Santos