Hockney’s Couple Portrait: Reversed Roles

Hand on the waist
Standing by the ajar door,
Three lady-shaped voids peeking-
Mrs. Clark looking gravely as if to say,
I am in no mood to smile today.
With an expression of irritation and arrogance side by side
Could be mistaken for a glance full of lust,
Mr. Clark with Percy on his lap-
Looking at the door, blasé of what is happening behind,
Could be the antipathy for their invasion of space.
The sole book lying on the table
Beside the wilting flowers in the green vase,
All bear witness to the wedded bliss-
Just like the telephone and mushroom lamp ignored amidst,
Overlooking the grim disheveled shadows of the chair.