Portrait of a Nude

after William Bouguereau's “Femme Au Coquillage”
 
Her flesh laid bare
in a shade so lush
 
by a painterly brush
that shares her blush,
 
her lips and smile
and forthright glance
 
belie the innocence
of her awkward stance,
 
that could entrance
both lover and beast
 
with all the guile
of desire's feast.

Appeared in Contemporary Rhyme