RETURNED

Some time before 1827 someone

Scratched off the paint covering

The woman in the red cloak,

A refugee from an earlier painting

Suspected by scholars to be Dido

Or Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra.

Whoever she is, she does her best

Resting a hand on Joseph's shoulder

While feigning interest in the baby

Who is not for an instant fooled.

REST ON THE FLIGHT

Jane Morris has wandered from where Rossetti left her
Over into one of Caravaggio's paintings. There,
She has plonked the baby Jesus-- himself a refugee
From middle-stage Rubens -- on her lap and fallen asleep.
She's so tired that she takes her surroundings
For granted. Next to her, a wing brushing her shoulder,
A teen-age angel plays the violin for Joseph and a donkey;
Joseph holds the music up but the angel's gaze is inward
The donkey watches over Joseph's shoulder
Gravely attentive, following the melody.