Zoe Maynard studies English BA (Hons) at the University of Northampton. Her poetry has featured in The Poeteer: A 21st Century Poetry Publication, Midnight Circus Literary Magazine, Les Rêves des Notre Ours, Indiana Voice Journal, The Anthologia, Aurora: EKU’s Online Literary and Arts Journal, and she has forthcoming publications in several literary journals.

The Painting
By Zoe Maynard

It caught my eye like a
fisherman’s bait. No catch,
the eyes followed me
across the room.

Colourful melodies and
acoustic renditions, the
portrait could not speak
behind the acrylics.

My fingers wanted to
touch the face, though,
fingerprints would
smear the porcelain.

I wish I could throw
the porcelain, blue
and white patterned
edges.

If only it would fall
into a vase, the colours
would run freely into
the water.