At Breakfast

In Jacob Jansz’s painting

circa fifteen hundred,

a family is seated at table

on which are breads, a jug

and something that could be cheese.

It looks as though the wife

is wearing her best clothes—

a dress of red brocade,

a matching shawl and a fancy cap

with trimmings of gold braid.

The child on her lap is pale

with an old head on his shoulders.

He looks as though he needs

some feeding up—perhaps whatever

his mother is spooning from a cup.

The husband is bearded and solemn,

plainly but carefully dressed

and gravely intent on slicing

a loaf of pumpernickel which

he holds in both his hands.

This placid picture of a meal

hangs in a gallery in Cologne

and gives us a rare glimpse

of the Holy Family sitting down

to a very German breakfast.

Barbara Fisher