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He sits below a faded brown
Oil painting of Japanese courtesans,
Alongside a minuscule portrait of
A mustachioed viellard framed in
Etched and golden wood. The chair
Is angled awkwardly into the space
Between a console and several
Canvases, one of which is mounted
On an easel throwing an abrupt
Shadow. His legs are held half
Under the seat, as if he were afraid
Of kicking them. On the console
Behind his inclined head a bouquet
Of flowers inside a funnel of gauze.
His face is ironic and pale and is as
Mustachioed as that in the portrait.
He holds a thin cane languidly in
One hand, and the tip rests lightly
On the fawn pile of the carpet.