PORTRAIT, REVISED

On a pale spring day in 1760
Kutsukawa Shunsho determined to paint
A group portrait of the poetess Ono No Komachi.
He  coaxed and persuaded versions of her

To leave, for a while, the ninth century
And pose with props in his studio. Afterwards,
The old dancer fell asleep, her head
On the lap of the girl who brought rain.
Komachi the courtier and Komachi the beggar
Wandered about Edo, telling outrageous lies
And winking at every man they passed.