Sitting as an Occupation

PROMPT:
“Madame Cézanne in the Conservatory”
Paul Cézanne

Sitting as an occupation
in the smooth maple chair,
smooth summer air—stifled
No garden should have walls:
trust roses, but not to cages
She is no windowsill trophy
Her roof, a patchwork blue,
a whiff of cloud and
The furry whisks of his brush;
mild impatience at the tilt of a chin
and violet wist in the eyes
for his imperfect skies
While she sits, preserved
in his conservatory

Sitting as an occupation,
leaves and lips wilting in the
radiant heat of
Brilliance.