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George Szirtes

The Lady with the Ermine

Sometimes it is hard to tell one from the other. Lady and ermine in conversation with some mutual metaphor are both metaphors. Yet she is herself (the lady that is) beyond the invitation to contemplate her as sister to the ermine, as is the ermine that is just ermine. Art is often confusing. Women and ermine appear to combine into a valid image of sinuous life, of vivacity and grace, both valuable, both beautiful. Listen! It is night. Do you hear laughter? Creatures imagine themselves sniggering at you. Wake up! Madam, you are free! Bring us the ermine. Hold it in your arms. This is your invitation. Imagine it so.