The Houses (1921)

Wind whipped orange
roofs, errant flames.
A writhing, thrusting
of coiled greens, vertical
whites, like candles dripping
with war. One, front-center,
the tallest, skinniest
boy, eyes startled wide.

                                       Carcass of Beef (1924)

                                       Chain hung, flooded
                                       with blood, bucketed and bought
                                       fresh. Who has ever known 
                                       such red. Marrow-soaked
                                       space, thin white strings
                                       tied tight to form. Memory’s blue
                                       peaks carved into a smeared sky.

Portrait of Madeleine Castaing (1928)

Black sheen sly as vodka,
clarity’s cloak over skin
puckered, swallowed
by age and wealth.
Surrounded by nothing but blue.
Legs-to-lap, a Mont Saint Victoire
in a raucous red dress
topped with twisting hands,
wretched vultures.

                                      Altar Boy (1927-8)

                                     Capped red, smocked white
                                     threaded through with skeins
                                     of color, woven complexity.
                                     The nose, the dark brows
                                     pull towards wonder,
                                     counterpunch to the doubtful.