Vivian Smith

A Paris Morning

A Paris morning, fifty years ago,
Cocteau’s homage to Apollinaire
as he unveiled Picasso’s Muse’s Head.
Too late, I almost missed it all
in the small square right next to St Germain.
A photojournalist still lingered on
snapping up the disappearing moment.

And there it stood, a head upon a plinth,
as if it meant to have its portrait painted,
a muse figure staring into space,
Cocteau elegant in light grey suit.
And as I looked he turned and drifted off
floating towards the crowded boulevard.