Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, "Lady Reading on a Bench"

On the bed

A bowl of good peaches

Luscious as the red curtain

Melting over the open window

Where your reflection distorts

Like cruel comedy

And the letter you hold

Imports the death scene

Of someone you were supposed to love

Yet your face is so yellow

Go on sweet

Leave it

Temper your breasts

Against the now new bed

Send the fruit to profane the floor

You may sink your teeth

Into anything with succulence

Go on then

And with certain laughter

Jeffrey Brown. Columbia Poetry Review, 1, 1988. Chicago: Columbia College Chicago.