Imperious

Beth, 1969

Imperative: adjective: imperious:

Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.

But it’s only a photograph, a frozen moment that means little. Beth was a sweet girl, straight off an Iowa farm, taking art classes at a “junior” college in the late 60s. Ours was a chaste dance, model and photographer, that lasted on and off for several years.

Or, perhaps, it was an accurate portrayal. Women were expected to hide their feelings toward men then, was this stare a more realistic expression of her feelings towards men, towards me?

I’ll never know, but I do remember Beth’s usual mien as much less intimidating: