Woman Weighing Pearls by Byron Beynon

after the painting by Jan Vermeer (1632-1675)

He begins with a blank canvas,
like a page waiting
for the poem whose words
will weigh on the heart's judgement.
The pearls flourish,
as she gazes gently
on scales that will give
her possessions and those empty
hours when sleep is hard to find.
The escape of light from a window,
unrehearsed shades
that bring concerns of an unstoppable future.
Her clothes are rich,
but how will she occupy
her thoughts during an uncertain age?

Byron Beynon lives in Swansea, Wales. His work has appeared in several publications including Poppy Road Review, Red Savina Review, Poetry Pacific, Written River, The Yellow Nib, Plainsongs and Chiron Review. Collections include The Sundial (Flutter Press), The Echoing Coastline (Agenda Editions) and Human Shores (Lapwing Publications).