pearl earring

a slight turn of head.
her liquid gaze caught mid-
frame which sails past
all your defenses. face to face
with infinite shadow
and pale reflective surfaces
glazing over subterranean depths
suggestive of some hidden
motive or heart-felt desire
on the edge of a spoken word,
a mysterious train of thought
forever lost hung and suspended
on her pursed red lips
like a pearl earring.

(for vermeer)