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

[Sami Khalil]

"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"

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

I did not know about him or the painting. I checked both on the net. I love it. Sad, realistic and a window to the past of a world renowned city. You did both justice and then some. I like poems that make you gain more knowledge...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami, especially for checking the painting out on the net. Much appreciated and pleased to share something new for you. All the best.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome. Stay creative and safe.

[Jibey]

I know the painting and you capture its essential features to well. Your words draw out the social significance of the painting, reminding us that the London on Dickens was very much the scene in Dore's time - and elements of it still remain. 'The poor you have always with you', sad to say.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jibey. The artist conveys so much in this painting of the contrast between the wealth in the city of London and extreme poverty. I wanted to try and capture that in words. Really appreciate your thoughts. Nothing much has changed. There is still much poverty.

Chris

[Lorry]

Very reminiscent of my annoying habit of staring at pictures for hours, wondering what the people get up to when there is no one around to see them. I used to think it was childish imagination to think they could escape the frame, but I still do it as much these days.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for checking this old poem out Lorry. I very much like art and art galleries. I often find myself thinking about the lives of those captured in paint, more than the artists themselves. When I look at art I am totally absorbed in it, don't notice the behaviour of others around me. Sounds like you have still got a very imaginative mind. That is all good when it comes to creativity. Many thanks.

Chris

[Onlyme]

Beautifully written Christine, such stark darkness and a grim reality of life back then. Projected with such insight and style. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Bless you Dawn. Thanks for checking in.

Chris

[Richard M]

This is beautiful Chris! I love stories told through poetry and your renderings are so powerful in describing the scene, the demeanor of the image. A great read!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard for calling on this poem. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Nida Hussain]

great work ma'm..never seen a painting described so well:)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Nida.

Chris

[Will Neill]

I know this painting quite well Christine, you have given it justice in your vivid poem-thanks for sharing
Will

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Will for your reassuring review. Appreciated.

Chris

[Jack O]

Almost everyone likes a good ninja story. or poem.
Winks.

[Jack O]

I would have made the flower sellers ninja's in the painting waiting for a certain patron to walk across the bridge so they could fulfill their mission. Alas i did not paint it and i did not write what you wrote.

Smiles. Tis good.

[Chris Shaw]

What an imagination you have Jack O, you have me smiling. Thank you for checking in.

Chris