The Infidelity
Mai Wolf
Ornate Rococo.
A time for fun and leisure.
Marked by asymmetry, florals, and gold.
The rich get richer.
A time of mystery.
A time of affair.
Locked inside a cabinet,
Evidence of her infidelity.
In the garden,
On her swing,
He views her from below,
Hidden in the roses.
They know what they do.
Do they care? No.
They are simply chasing a feeling.
A desire,
A sense of pleasure.
The thrill excites them,
As they pursue their scandal.
Her husband unaware,
They do not care.
A little white dog yaps at his feet,
But the man does not notice.
He is too focused on his wife,
To think about her scandal.
She is trapped between two worlds.
Societal expectations,
And her desire to explore sexuality.
If her secret escapes,
She will be shunned.
This young man enraptured her,
But her husband holds the reins.
Her loverboy,
Knows the woman’s fear.
He will not be punished.
So he sits,
And enjoys the show.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, 1767 (Wallace Collection, London)
“A commentary on a painting from the Rococo time period by Jean-Honoré Fragonard called “The Swing" referencing different symbols used in art during that time. This piece dives into the inferred backstory of Fragonard’s painting while commenting on the impact of infidelity, affairs, and secrets from one’s partner. The primary focus of this poem is on how society will view the woman if the affair comes to light, especially back in the 1760s where women were viewed as merely child bearers. Although similar views are still held in modern society, they are not as widely accepted and tend to hide, however they still impact young women today.”
— Mai Wolf
Mai Wolf
Mai Wolf
Mai Wolf is a hobbyist writer who attends Evangel University online pursuing an associate's degree in general studies. She is currently in her second year. Due to the ADHD monster that possessed her at a young age, she has many hobbies such as video games, reading, writing, drawing, video editing, watching cartoons, and covering her car in stickers and rubber duckies. Her car asks you to please send help.
Instagram: @IamSongforsomeone & @IamMaiSFS / YouTube: IamSongforsomeone