Flower Sellers of London

Flower Sellers of London

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

(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?

© 2018 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

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.

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Many thanks Soren. The painting was amazing. So much going on about deprivation against wealth. Plea.. read more



Reviews

Very descriptive while also making a social comment. Was Dore the artist who illustrated The Divine Comedy, or am I mistaking him for someone else?

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you. I'm not sure whether he illustrated the Divine Comedy. I will have to check on it.
.. read more
Very thoughtful! I enjoyed your reflections upon the multiple characters within the scene. #LRWP2018

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you kindly for your review.

Chris
the flowers have to sell...because the roses of populations of hard working people will die out...and gardens of real life will suffer the same fate.
tremendous poetry here.
j.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Jacob
A moving theme of poverty painted by a wealthy man. You added a background story to a scene that exemplifies what life was like long ago for some families and did it well.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you. He may have been wealthy, but he chose to paint poverty. He captured it well and I am tha.. read more
I need to look up the painting to compare your words, but I’m sure it will reveal a perfect understanding.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Maxwell. It is a beautiful painting, but it evokes such sadness.
Chris this is a poignantly beautiful word-painting, sadly depicting the forlorn subjects of Dore’s amazing work. Your eoquent couplets, filled with pathos,speak of the destitute, the homeless, the struggling poor of London, selling flowers for their bread. Mothers and children in “extreme destitution”, waiting for “the compassionate” to buy. Why? We have men who sell flowers on the roads here, some are veterans, homeless, addicted. In the midst of plenty, they suffer. As you say, they have “ a faraway look”. Your beautiful words speak for them.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Annette for your thoughtful and compassionate words. Someone needs to speak out for the ha.. read more
Very nice. Sorry, it took awhile to read it. I have trouble reading complex sentences in English as it's not my first language. However, I like the descriptions so you could kind of see the scenery and the characters.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you for reading and leaving your thoughts. It is appreciated.

Chris
I’m not familiar with such art as you’re describing, so it’s fun & interesting to see how the perceptive eye takes it all in. I especially love the way you show your own suppositions of what this story feels like, not just what it looks like. I’m always inspired by music & sometimes by photos, so I’m really appreciating this connection you’re making to another artform. Your lines are like gentle brushstrokes (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Margie, I am often inspired by art or music. Your kind words are appreciated.

read more
your poem is Gustoave Dore painting in words, before I looked at the painting, I gathered a vivid image from your words. Your heartfelt concern for the welfare of the flower sellers comes through your poem.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you M for your kind review.

Chris
Very good descriptive writing. I had to look up the painting and re read it a couple times because I was not familiar with that artist. Anyway, I think you used just enough word economy to paint a mental picture of an artists painted picture without cluttering it up with the unnecessary. The ending gives the poem a life of it's own so it's more than just words about a painting.


Good on you for bringing that painting to our attention... it's a timelessly beautiful piece of art I had not seen before.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

I'm so pleased you took the time to look the painting up (can't upload anything at the moment) and t.. read more
Davidgeo

6 Years Ago

It was my pleasure. I don't think any writer on this site or any like it could do a painting of tha.. read more

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Added on June 7, 2018
Last Updated on June 7, 2018

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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