
"Bathers at Asnièrs" by Georges Seurat (1884)
Everyone you could possibly become
Forlorn observer of the glad bathers
Swims before you, hideous or handsome
The throng of possibilities gathers

Choose carefully from behind your bored hair
Distinguish mere seeming from real being
Each mode of comportment, weigh and compare
From straying husband to priest, faith forsaking

The river will change each time you leap in
You will change in turn; time will see to that
The water will remember each, small sin
Each wave and ripple knows what it aims at

Perhaps you are wise to watch from the bank
Many who jumped in all too promptly sank
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.




Comments (5)
"The water will remember each small sin." Like bathing in holy water. Funny though, it's been so hot lately, as soon as I saw the pic I wanted to jump in.
I think I would have been the one watching from the bank but not because I was wise, lol. Loved your poem!
I always appreciate how you bring paintings to life by giving a voice to silent figures.
Love the images and the words , wonderful sonnet
I like your ekphrastics sonnets, D.J. (Although I’ve not read all of these). I don’t know this painting, yet I’ll never look at it the same way again! 👀😄