POSTER AND PASSENGER

Posted by Admin on 31 March 2008, 12:00 am

The French Maid – quite so!
But not so French when drawn
by Hassall’s witty hand.
It’s true the tricolour adorns
your gown – but what of that?
The face profusely framed
in dark brown hair is native to
the English stage.
Indeed, ’twas but a week ago
I saw your counterpart inside
a bus, and itched to sketch
the perfect curve of her averted cheek.
Those wide-set sympathetic eyes
revealed when once she turned
to pay her fare;
that smile so unaffectedly
bestowed in thanks for change;
if these were poised between
a frilly mask, upheld, and carmine fan,
with paper Chinese lanterns overhead;
then she the painted you would surely be,
and you the haunting, enigmatic she.