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

[Jimmy Yetts]

You brought a painting alive, Chris.
Amazing artistry!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy.

[Stella Armour]

I have just looked at this beautiful picture of sadness on Google,and how well you have described it Chris... can you not upload it to accompany your poem ?

[Chris Shaw]

My computer has a storage problem at the moment Stella. I am unable to save or upload anything until I get it fixed. Pleased you googled the painting though and thank you for your review.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

A lovely painting it is too :)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, it is in one of the galleries in Liverpool.

[sette]

i slightly remember about gustave flaubert's water color painting of flowers sellers it has a realistic air about the painting

[Chris Shaw]

Different, painter, different medium, but probably highlighting the contrast between wealth and poverty. Thank you sette.