Mona Lisa

It was the first time I saw her. It was the 100th time I’d seen her.

Mona Lisa, she has the room to herself. When I’d seen her in my history books throughout all my school years I didn't imagine she would be so isolated, no wonder she looks so unamused. She’s waiting for the room to be around her. Vast white marble across the floor and bare cream walls. Why do I smell play do? What stands out more is the maroon velvet rope that attempts to section her off from… from… what? People? Even a sticky toddler could break this barrier. A sign on the wall, I swear, got more attention than she did. “Please do not photograph the Mona Lisa.” Three simultaneously conversations in the distance hushed and explaining to their wives. Dim witted that the flash damaged the priceless piece of art.

I can believe she looks so much more exquisite in a battered 7th grade history book. Been built up for years that she was larger than life, and in the end I compared her to a postage stamp on an envelope.