Thoughts on an unknown Lady

[aschueler]

( I belong to a writer's group and we are tasked with writing, poetry or prose, about a photo we were all given. I will attempt to attach a copy of the photo to this piece and would be grateful for any feedback)

Thoughts on an Unknown Lady


Good day Madam......
or perhaps Bonjour Madame,
for there is a certain look
a certain je ne sais quoi
about you.
You are not young  This line I don't care for, couple of reasons.  One is I don't see the contrast between not being young and posing on a chair.  Also, it brings to mind "You are old father William..."
yet you pose on a chair,.
legs crossed
in elegant modesty.  I do like the French elegant lady so far though.
Perhaps you were once on display,
a cinema screen or catwalk perhaps......
in your younger years.  Repeating age creates tension here I thought was on purpose but on re re reading not sure and seems to either miss the reason we are fixed on her age or it's an accident.
You dress yourself in black
confidently.
You know your jewellery will add  Was amused at jewellery, didnt know that was British spelling
style,
Sophistication,
go well with black;
and so I must wonder......
Why the red hat?  I like the end but expected something about age.

(I have been unable to insert a jpg image from my desktop - please try to imagine a fairly elderly, rather elegant lady dressed in black wearing a large red hat )