the artist in the parlor
she didn’t like to be photographed
though being drawn
was another matter altogether
she didn’t like pickles or salmon
or dinner parties greater than six
always preferring to sit (or lounge)
in the living room or parlor
taking in conversations
and open to most questions
during dinner she liked to keep quiet
communicating by way of
visual contact instead
excusing herself before dessert
retiring to the parlor
with anyone who would join her
october two thousand twenty
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
