Johann Baptist Kirner, German
“It’s This Way To the Lost and Found, You Say? Oh, Good. Maybe They’ll Have My Jug,” ca. 1832-36
Oil on canvas
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/// Johann Kirner, a German, would gawk
at the sight of her taking a walk
with a jug on her head.
Why not hold it instead?
She’s Italian— needs both hands to talk!
/// The Italian girl points out it bugs
her when body parts get labeled “jugs.”
Her hair’s long, for she fears
louts will snicker “jug-ears.”
(She’s called “jughead” by low local lugs.)
/// Yet, there are local men who are gallants;
who admire how she’ll skillfully balance
a large full jug atop
her not spilling a drop.
They will give her head praise for its talents.
/// Poise and posture provide her the power
to perch water-filled jugs for an hour.
If the heat makes her sweat
and she needs to get wet,
with a strip and a nod she can shower.
/// Out of habit she stands straight and tall
so the pot on her head will not fall.
Is she having a baby?
Her left hand tells us “Maybe.”
Guess she does loosen up after all.