WHAT THE WOMAN IN THE PAINTING TOLD ME

dark, dark eyes – my face rendered by the painter
     shows me gazing down through the ages

seeing my bloodline continue
     rape? or loving coupling?

woman birthing a child
     pain, blood, fear

our destiny flowing through eons
     earthquakes, tidal surges, wars

a child born with blue eyes!
     father’s genes or mother’s genes – does it matter?

closer and closer to my face becoming yours
     to your picture – skin so pale, covered with light brown spots

hair golden red and eyes that took the blue from the sky
     my great, great, great, great, great
          you!