shutter speeds

we always fought 
in art galleries
reina sofia 
museo prado 
van gogh brieven 

you never liked 
when i sneaked photos 
of pieces i loved most 

you handed me your heavy camera
told me to give you 
10 seconds' notice
so you had time to walk away 

you looked at paintings
like you did photos
hard eyes
rule of thirds
composition 
framing

i saw natural light dance
from the tips of brush strokes 
shadows in gradation
wooden canvas chipped 
mimicking ridges of uneven paint
rich streaks 
simulating slow shudder speeds

© Lisa Xing