Flower Sellers of London

(from a painting of the same name by Gustave Dore)

Gustave captures poverty with brush strokes,

in fine oils he reveals sadness on faces

On a city of London bridge, two pretty flower sellers

are shabbily dressed, draped in shawls of drabness

A babe in the arms of each, one seller stands,

the other remains seated, at her skirts a shoeless girl

The hardship of the occasion is not lost to Gustave,

hues of insipid greys and shades of dark with one exception

A wicker basket ready, brimful of bunched blooms

beautiful flora chosen for colour and high scent

In a capital of opulence there is extreme destitution

if flowers don't sell, mouths will go hungry, rent unpaid

The flower sellers have a faraway look, they do not engage

a babe in arms and the barefoot child reach out with their eyes

The compassionate are yet to purchase and I wonder,

how many hours will pass before the basket is empty?

Reviews

[Soren]

You too have painted a picture but in words. It makes distinct to me the metaphor of the poor in grey selling the opulent, maybe it is in the mass' of the poor that power resides. This has been used as a theme for social revolutions. A wonderful picture that evokes pitty and hope.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Soren. The painting was amazing. So much going on about deprivation against wealth. Pleased you stopped by to review. Have a good day.

Chris

[duff]

Heartache and broken dreams with empty pockets. Be proud behind a stand. Artisan loyalty. Fascinating Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks duff. The painting showed beautifully the contrast between wealth and poverty. Fascinating study it was. Happy Easter.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Oh my. Your poem shows that there is tragedy even in the midst of beauty.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dale for stopping by to share your thoughts. Much appreciated. Happy Easter to you.

Chris

[Pete]

goodness, quite the bouquet. love the wording along with the story told. enjoyed the opening as well the ending question. had to check out the painting after reading - your emotive, well-chosen words do it justice. poetry at its finest. top tier stuff chris. happy easter! ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Pete for all the encouragement. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. An older one out for an airing. Happy Easter to you too my friend. Have fun.

Chris

[willweb]

Wow Chris, that was amazing. It was as if I were standing in front of the painting as I read this. Your talent really stands out in this. Beautifully done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you will. The painting is amazing. The artist captures the contrast between wealth and deprivation so very well. Have a good day.

Chris

[red93]

Beautiful Work Chris and once again this close affiliation you have with visual artists - your Poems are high standard painterly miniatures. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tony for all your encouragement. This is an older poem out for a breath of fresh air. Pleased you like it.

Chris

[Ayvid N]

Dear Chris,

This poem rings out with such compassion... The painting says so much more than just being beautiful. On reading this, I take a moment to say a prayer for all those little ones from the bygone past who were not shielded from the harshness of those times with naught to keep them from death by sickness and penury.

Thank you for sharing this gem from your worthy archives.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks divya. I loved the painting. The contrast between wealth and poverty was huge, as was insipid against colour. So much to consider in one piece of art. The artist did an amazing job. Pleased you enjoyed my efforts.

Chris

[Ayvid N]

It was such a pleasure!

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I am taking in this poem with a mixture of awe, surprise and delight too. Awe and delight at the beauty of the scene you paint as deftly with your quill as Gustave uses his brush. Surprise that such poverty exists in an affluent part of the world. If you took away the beauty and identity of the place, it could well be a third world nation. How wrong we are in our assumptions sometimes! Thank you for this beautiful, enlightening poem, dear Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ditzy, this painting reflects how London was for many in the 19th century. A wealthy city, yet so many in poverty. Fast forward to current times. Still a wealthy city, and still pockets of poverty. Thankfully, not quite as dismal as when the painting was done. It must have been tough in those times. Thank kitty for dropping by. Treats to eat.........

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Loved this poem and it reads like a painting itself. Thank you for the treats my friend 💕

[Dave Brown]

a very nicely done gesture to a beautiful painting filled with extremely fine detail, highlighting an excellent composition that represents how omnipresent poverty has always been and the sorry plight of those suffering
Really fine all over offering Chris
Very enjoyable

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave for giving this old poem a chance to breathe. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

Interesting poem. I like the idea of bringing a painting to life and educating your readers about a painting they probably never knew but looked it up and thought it was interesting as I. Tyfs

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cyprian for dropping in and sharing your thoughts. Your visit appreciated.

Chris