It's Still Life

As It Once Was

It hangs, gilt frame,
and a sepia sketch. 1945.
Vesterport by Soren Frank.
The old tollgate
as it used to be
with the mayor’s house
on the right. Regency
windows, leaded and
multi-paned.
Two gas lights
by the door, electric
shines there now.
Square cobbles, a street,
a walk to the bakery.
The dress shop above.
Red tile roof catches
falling leaves.
This picture,
that time,
this memory
left to me because I
said I loved it.
I’ll leave it to the next
person who loves it.
But not quite yet.

This ink and watercolour painting was bequeathed to me by my in-laws. The artist lived locally in Faaborg, Denmark. I’ve loved this picture from the first day I saw it. It’s a joy to look at it; now hanging in my hallway. This piece is written for dVerse “Mementos”.