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

[John the Baptist]

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?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. I'm not sure whether he illustrated the Divine Comedy. I will have to check on it.

Chris

[Brittany K.]

Very thoughtful! I enjoyed your reflections upon the multiple characters within the scene. #LRWP2018

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly for your review.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob

[Relic]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. He may have been wealthy, but he chose to paint poverty. He captured it well and I am thankful for that, as I am of your kind review.

Chris

[Maxwell Ryder]

I need to look up the painting to compare your words, but I’m sure it will reveal a perfect understanding.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Maxwell. It is a beautiful painting, but it evokes such sadness.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Annette for your thoughtful and compassionate words. Someone needs to speak out for the have nots. There are too many of them and there is no excuse for it. It was bad enough in the 19th century, but today, with all the wealth about, it is a disgrace.

Chris

[송지ፏ..]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris

[barleygirl]

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

[Chris Shaw]

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

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

Chris

[Mrudula Rani]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you M for your kind review.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

I'm so pleased you took the time to look the painting up (can't upload anything at the moment) and that you also appreciated its beauty. I hope I did it justice with my words.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

It was my pleasure. I don't think any writer on this site or any like it could do a painting of that quality justice. But I think you did a far better job than what most of us could have done.