Woman in Blue

reading his last letter –

burning red leaves

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NaHaiWriMo prompt: haiku about a painting

83/100 Days of Summer

Small stone

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Found Haiku: The title of Vermeer’s painting is “Woman in Blue Reading a Letter.”

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One of my all time favorites. The stillness and silence in this picture, the allusion to pregnancy, waiting time, the letter/news almost associate to an annunciation.

Yet, it is likely that there is disappointment. The map associates to far away places. Where is he writing from? Perhaps he is not coming back… the autumn of the relationship in the haiku… will she burn the letter too? Where are all the feelings… .

Whatever you make of it, the stillness and containment in this painting keep bringing me back to it.