On Seeing a Painting by Picasso

I was anxious to see the work of a great artist.

On Seeing a Painting by Picasso

 

By Elton Camp

 

The museum has a portrait by Picasso on display

When I heard that, I knew had to go by that way

I must admit that, a country hick like me

Has few chances a real work of art to see

 

The first painting I saw caused me to smile

It obviously was the work of a little child

A real talent for painting the child had not

Yet the museum gave it a prominent spot

 

In time the child might learn to draw

When attention given to its try it saw

Yet, derisive laughter the child might hear

If it came to visit and was standing near

 

I had to hope most folks won’t mind

To a little child’s work to try to be kind

An attempt to paint a woman it seemed to be

But it certainly looked very strange to me

 

One eye was looking over to her right

While the other had a straight sight

The nose was not located in between

In the place of an ear it could be seen

 

Mouth wasn’t at the center of her chin

Way over toward the side it did begin

The figure’s hair wasn’t up on the top

Way down to the left side it did drop

 

Her face was littered with weird designs

Composed of many multiple colored lines

I hoped nobody the child would ask

If it was a horrid Halloween mask

 

Of that painting I had quite enough

I was ready to see the genuine stuff

“Guard, where may the Picasso be found

So I won’t have to hunt for it all around?”

 

My question seemed the guard to confuse

Or perhaps I should say it came to amuse

His words came to me as a total surprise

“That is it right there before your eyes.”