April 6, 2012
-
The Kitchen Maid
— after the painting by Diego Velàzquez, ca. 1619
She is the vessels on the table before her:the copper pot tipped toward us, the white pitcher
clutched in her hand, the black one edged in red
and upside down. Bent over, she is the mortar
and the pestle at rest in the mortar—still angled
in its posture of use. She is the stack of bowls
and the bulb of garlic beside it, the basket hung
by a nail on the wall and the white cloth bundled
in it, the rag in the foreground recalling her hand.
She’s the stain on the wall the size of her shadow—
the color of blood, the shape of a thumb. She is echo
of Jesus at table, framed in the scene behind her:
his white corona, her white cap. Listening, she leans
into what she knows. Light falls on half her face.by Natasha Trethewey
1966 –Always thinking ahead, I am posting this poem on Good Friday in anticipation Easter, that celebration of the Resurrection, the resurrected Christ who is featured in the background of this version of Velasquez’s painting. The depiction of the supper at Emmaus has been a popular theme in art since the Renaissance. As I re-read the story in the latter part of Luke, I found no mention of who prepared the meal. But we all know someone did.
Poet Trethewey has been on my radar for a couple of years, since she’s from Georgia, an Emory University professor. Although some of her work has been labeled *politically correct*, I find this one suitably current. Remember the recent book-adapted-to-film, The Help? The movie won several Oscars. One was for Best Supporting Actress. The plot focused on the work of domestics and what they overheard from the kitchen. Interesting correlation, no?
Furthermore, the style of verse found in The Kitchen Maid reminds me of a similar one based on Vermeer’s Woman Holding a Balance, penned by Marilyn McEntyre. Here’s a link to it.
Back to the point ~
May the blessings from the communion meal we will share in three days be celebrated every Sunday, and not just once a year.
Happy Easter!
