Foreign Girl

It might have been winter
when she sat for Charles
puffed up sleeves keeping her warm.
The neckline was her mother’s choice.
Forget the bouffant hair!
The artist’s bold lines
captured thick waves of hair
her challenging look
arms a defiant cross.
Her slanted eyes challenged him
to order the cigarette out of her mouth.
At sixteen she might not have been kissed
but she showed him who is boss.