¶

The theory of perspective is based on the fact that
from every point of an object that we are looking at
a ray of light is carried in a straight line     
to our eye                      Perspective for artists.
                                      Rex Vicat Cole, 1921

To our eye the theory of perspective is based
on the fact that from every point of an object
that we are looking at a ray of light is carried
in a straight line

A ray of light is carried in a straight line to our eye:
the theory of perspective is based on the fact.

Every theory of perspective is a looking at
an object carried in a line of light.
The point of the object is the theory of perspective.
The object of perspective is the point of light.

Based is carried. The fact is based on the theory
carried in an object that is the theory, a ray of light,
the perspective of every object that we are looking at
looking straight at our eye.

Elizabeth James
Spreyton, 27 September 1997

This poem was written in the first communal writing session of The Poetry Workshop, held in the studio of member Chris Hedley-Dent, who is also a painter. It was published in two poems  (form books, 1998).