RUBENS

The marital bond
can be
            frenzy of the blood.

The painter thanks Helena Fourment
beyond life itself
for revealing
            this jubilation to him.

She, the initiator, appears in the pictures
as she was seen by satiated, watching eyes.

If we look carefully
we will see the portrait of his first wife
chastised by a dryness;
but Helena’s, instead,
bursts like a desire
out of the canvas.

Let us hallow that bed
where the pagan vein met reverent flesh.