Ode to Mona Lisa
To the beauty herself
You retain the gaze of time throughout the ages.
Century after century, a canvas whispers.
Mona Lisa, an enigma shrouded in light,
A smile that haunts the sacred night of the Louvre.
Da Vinci’s brush, a genius’ touch spun, woven with secrets, shadows never outrun.
Sphinx in mortal form, brows arched
Is it sadness or knowing mirth in your eyes?
The Florentines watched your figure emerge, from a poplar panel to a sky masterpiece.
You’ve kept your ground through conflicts and whispers.
A silent muse who reflects the grace of beauty.
Poets write a whispered rhyme about your smile.
Lost in your time, a symphony of souls.
Kings and intellectuals pass by, as do pilgrims.
Drawn by brushstrokes that refuse to reveal themselves
The secrets are hidden inside your soft curve, the murmured thoughts that collide on your lips.
Are you a lovely maiden or the queen of old lore?
A lover’s fantasy, or knowledge at its core?
A million inquiries fly over the glass, your enigmatic smile a continual reply.
Mona Lisa, the muse of all ages,
An eternal reverberation on life’s ephemeral stage.
So we stand here, in front of your painted soul, and let your quiet complete its story.
Oh, Mona Lisa, bathed in endless light, a million dreams take flight with every glimpse.
© Shuvranil Sanyal, 2023