(Leaf 81) – Reflection
.jpg) |
| Rembrandt - Philosopher Reading (1631) |
This was in fact something which happened to me one evening. It was a completely still night and I’ve no idea what prompted the breeze which altered the candle’s flame, nor did I feel it myself. Having since written this unusual happening down as a tanka, it seems to me that it much better befits a description of the types of oil paintings which show bearded old scholars sunk deep in their reading; paintings such as Rembrandt’s “Philosopher” of 1631.
A curious glance,
cast up at the candle’s
sudden slanted flame
– tired eyes, slowly
drift back to the page.
