Her Right Arm, in a Kind Gesture of Gentleness, Poem by Paul Verlaine

Poem by Paul Verlaine Collection La Bonne ChansonThemes LovePeriod 19th century

Her right arm, in a kind gesture of gentleness,
Rests around the neck of the little sister,
And her left arm follows the rhythm of the skirt.
Surely a pleasant idea occupies her,
For her eyes so frank, for her mouth that smiles,
Bear witness to an intimate joy with wit.
Oh! her exquisite and fine thought, what is it?
All charming, all amiable, and all beautiful,
For this portrait, her infallible taste has chosen
The simplest pose and the best as well:
Standing, gaze straight, hair loose; and her dress
Is long just enough that it hides
Only halfway beneath its jealous folds the charming tip
Of a mischievous foot imperceptibly.

Paul Verlaine

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