Horror Vacui

Restrained by nothing stronger 
Than a frame of thin, white wood, 
The square of black oblivion 
Upon the wall withstood 

The viewers’ searching gazes,
Which fell upon its hide 
Like arrows by Achilles’ shield 
Turned harmlessly aside. 

Repulsed, nonplussed, dismissive, lost
Like children in a maze, 
Or dots proclaiming “You Are Here”
Upon an empty page, 

One by one they wandered off 
To other galleries
And paintings that repaid their stares 
With human sympathies.