Sunny Corner, Volendam
by Ruth Arnison
A painting by Thomas Arthur Browne
Paint
two men and a lad. Throw in background figures to draw
eyes away from any foreground conclusions.
Shoe
the men in clogs, but after painting two sets you become bored,
so leave one sitting on his.
Dab
a hint of colour in a pocket. A glasses case, a tobacco pouch,
a stolen item?
Make
one white-haired, indicating possible wisdom. He is going to deny
everything and needs all the help you can give him.
Brush
soundlessly
so you don’t lead the seekers to this hiding place.
Give
the lad a cigar. He’s been told to keep his mouth shut
and this may help.
Furrow
the brow of the middle man, make him the thinker, the one
who’s going to concoct a story and save them all.
Keep
their nails clean, hands smooth. An intriguement as to whether
they really are fishermen.
Ensure
you remain silent.
You are not to give anything away, Mr Browne.
Copyright © 2017 by Ruth Arnison.