Whistler's Mother

[BobBradshaw]

V2:
Whistler's Mother

Who would have thought a simple woman
from Paterson would live on
in the Musée d'Orsay?

When the painting was first unveiled
the critics were outraged
as if their own sister
had posed nude in a brothel.

Some wag chirped
her son must have positioned me
that way to avoid gazing
at my stern face. Truth is,

I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. I turned
my good ear and my best side

towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?

Why did the critics show such disdain?
Had I insulted them
without knowing it?

Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways they couldn't admit to,
embittered that unlike
my colorful Jemie

they would always
be dull sons and husbands,
their lives arrangements
in grey

V1:
Whistler's Mother

Who would have thought that a simple woman
from Paterson would live out
her life in the Musée d'Orsay?

When the painting was first hung
the critics were as outraged
as if their own sister
had been painted sitting in a brothel.

My son must have positioned me
that way to avoid gazing
all day at my stern face
is what some wag chirped. Truth is,

I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. I turned
my good ear and my best side

towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?

Why did the critics show such disdain?
Had I ever insulted them
without knowing it?

Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways they couldn't admit to,
embittered that unlike
my colorful Jemie

they would always
be dull sons and husbands,
their lives arrangements
in grey


note: this is an old poem, revised, an earlier version published long ago in a defunct publication

[Kenneth2816]

Bob. You're at your best with this medium of artists, musicians.

[BobBradshaw]

Thank you, Ken, for saying that... many thanks

[meenas17]

Agree with Ken, Bob, you are at your best when writing about artists and musicians.

[FranktheFrank]

Nice idea, Whistler's mother is called a great painting,
most just see a very old woman.

What is great is Whistler's love of an ordinary old woman,
now that is extraordinary.

Suggestion for S1:
Who would have thought that a woman
from Paterson would hang out
in the old Beaux-Arts railway station.

[BobBradshaw]

Meenas, Frank - thank you. Frank, I will think about your suggestion...thx for making it

[Michael (MV)]

Hi Bob,

An engaging ekphrasis, strong & colorful - Bravo!

workshop illustrated for your perusal & consideration. -- Michael (MV)

Who would have thought that
a simple woman
from Paterson lives on
in fame chez Musée d'Orsay?

When the painting was first unveiled
the critics were outraged
as if their own sister
had posed nude in a brothel.

Some wag chirped
her son must have positioned her
that way to avoid gazing
all day at such a stern face. Truth is,

I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. Of course,
my good ear and my best side

turned towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?

Why such disdain?
Had I ever insulted the critics
without knowing it?

Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways
they couldn't admit to;
embittered that,

unlike my colorful Jemie,
they would always be
dull sons and husbands -

their lives
arrangements
in grey

[BobBradshaw]

Thanks, Michael, especially for the time to make suggestions. Bob

[Billy]

Great poem and I like the little changes MV proposed.

[BobBradshaw]

You’re right. They’re good suggestions... I will take advantage... thx, Billy, for confirmation

[BobBradshaw]

Tweaked S3...thx, Michael