The Subject

In Artemisia's painting, completed 
          in 1612 when she was only 20, 
Judith beheads the invader-general, 
          assisted by her maid. Sometimes 
I forget that the artist is not the woman
          she portrays in this scene, face
resolute above the blade that's already severed
          the arteries in his neck. Raped at 17, 
she wouldn't recant her accusations at the trial
          of her rapist, though they tortured her 
with thumbscrews. From whichever angle, the subject
          is who gets to tell the truth, or who 
would be believed. The artist has given it to us—
          her truth. It stains everything in 
proximity: the tufted sheets, the hands that took
          on this work; blood-spatter on her breast.