Portrait of a Woman with Green Stripe: Matisse 1905

 

We are composed of color

Fundamental color

Made of light.

 

Such mystery in blocks of green

Of orange, violet and black

That, coming together

On this surface, flat yet

Never there,

of canvas cloth,

Create such life and spirit

that waking every moment,

never dies.

 

Occupying no time and

Evidently no place

A being whose penetrating gaze

Dark eyes, dark brows

Divided by that perfect streak

of  green of sea

Comes to look within us.

 

Everyone who sees

Absorbs the knowledge

She transmits

With steadfast view

And silent lips

Of self

from which nothing

Whatever in the world

Can hide.