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The Portrait of Josephine

Writer: Murat ErtanMurat Ertan

Empress Josephine Bonaparte would have envied Josephine if only she could see him in his natural face. Perhaps because of love or perhaps because of hatred. But there are things that can't be fitted to a single portrait, and Josephine is an example of those rare exceptions. So let me, a mere mortal, at least try to depict Josephine. There are countless reasons to know Josephine, as when he comes, you are surrounded by an extraterrestrial aura which is quite interesting in the monotonous flow of time around the waiting desk.


Mr Josephine is a very kind person. He never ever tries to win any battle with the only exception of winning the defeat. You could be relaxed around her because he will always insist you win over anything. For a European peasant, this could be total bullshit. How could such a person survive in the cold tundras of northern Europe? But this foolish and fur-cap-wearing peasant forgets himself by considering Josephine, a mortal. Is she immortal? Absolutely, precisely! Our peasant should herald the brownish crown.


I saw Josephine cutting her wings because he saw a person un-winged. forget about him. Why would she try to take revenge on anyone? Being interested in taking revenge isn't fitting to this deity's holy goodness. If he were an angel, he would cut his beautiful feathered wings to show how she can easily give away his most precious, himself!

I saw Josephine cutting her wings because he saw a person un-winged. He tried to cure the pain of the demon by sharing his ever-glimpsing affection. Yet those demons are always evil. The demon stabbed Josephine's back which was full of blood left from his never-ending cutting of her wings. What a shame. I watched terribly and came to you silently, Josephine, at that time. You said you were fine while having the greatest agony. I had no choice but to wish my good intentions and leave. Maybe one day, you will permit yourself to tend your wounds.


Josephine is an amicable person. He cares for others, and she is very sensitive to others' pain. An intellectual mind may infer that he is permitted to live only with others' pain, not his own. Does he have his own? More than most. Does he care about them the most? Less than least.


One day I saw Josephine trying to fly to the stars. I was happy to see his face smiling after all the pain he had been through. But later, I saw in agony that he had gone through the pain. I cried out: "Josephine! Josephine! How are you?". He didn't respond but said I was fine. I said what about her only to have an eye looking I.


Josephine believes that by not living and returning to her homeland, the stars and heaven, she is showing the ultimate mercy for mankind. As if she is saying, after all your evil me, the great Josephine, lives among you cutting her own wings not to frighten any mortal of their natural sins. You are right, Josephine. Most would be frightened if only they could see your good intentions. You tried to make a heaven out of your own hell. But you never saw the earth while you were down there.


Love and peace be with you.



Originally published for Polyhedron in 01/11/2023

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