You can still see them

in the cloudy mirrors

the two princes

painted by

Van Der Liden

who died

aged forty five

with a look of absolute horror

in his eyes

no reason was ever given for this

 

I was not tricked by the reflections

and knew the works

to be hung together

in seperate rooms

 

The paintings looked ordinary

two boys of royal blood

seated, reading books of poetry

they were both wearing fine clothes

and each had a hound

stretched on the rug

that covered their feet

 

It was the background

that fascinated me

the artist had used an unrecorded colour

a green, darkened, almost black

it was not known from whom it was purchased

he had used it in the area behind the boys

however nothing appeared to exist in this space

 

I found a great knife

and had removed the aged varnish from the work

I had wanted to see the colour

with more clarity

 

I know of this colour now

but I will not share my knowledge

as I am trapped behind the princes seated

I will spend eternity here

hidden from view

 

I have been granted one kindness

which sadly I will never share