MANTEGNA AT THE LOUVRE

Walking in the Louvre
sighting Mantegna's
long suffering "Crucifixion"
mutely smothered
by the heavily wounded colors
reproving what transfigures
to be anointed for every age
in a scene of dolor's desolation
presaging a man of sorrows
liberally acquainted with grief
stretched on a visionary canvas
through the sunny windows
at an  honorary altar's relief
carefully shaping a painting
in an oilcloth of pure lines
at our own reproof of unbelief.