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 Contents | April 2001 In This Issue (Contributors) |
The Atlantic Monthly | April 2001
The Kiss of Judas
by Alicia Ostriker .....  Hear Alicia Ostriker read this poem (in RealAudio)Among many, one panel: Perhaps it catches the eye Owing to its symmetry Or its subject, betrayal. Giotto is simple. What does "simple" mean? Soldiers, torches, a friendship, Money, a kiss. Two profiles: One looks upward, Lips protrude with intention, Brow slightly frowns. And one receptive, brunette, Eyes almost Byzantine, Grave if not solemn, His neck remains bare To show absence of fear. Judas wears a cloak To reveal that he's hidden. His embrace also hides The other man's body. Could Judas wish to become Joined with his Lord's body? Giotto has painted him Like almost everyone else In the Scrovegni Chapel, Slightly rounded, short, Not too far from being A dog or a bird. Isn't it hard, though, to leave? Pope Leo liked them. We, too, Those tender Giotto blues, Those rose tints, those ash greens. We were never in a church More comforting than this one. Imagine if women's wombs Had paintings like this one. All of us would be born Wise and good, then. Copyright © 2001 by The Atlantic Monthly Company. All rights reserved. The Atlantic Monthly; April 2001; The Kiss of Judas - 01.04; Volume 287, No. 4; page 81. |
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