Friday, February 16, 2018

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CANAL



The bridge was torn down long ago
If you must cross it, Canaletto
Painted it; the picture shows Venice;
You’ll find it in Montreal.
First, you must make friends
With some of Canaletto’s staffage –
Those figures populating his pictures
So the buildings won’t feel lonely.
(Try for some of the early ones; he later
Just painted vaguely human blobs
Who have no vices and rarely smile)
Enveloped in a red cape, you’ll pass
As one of the Doge’s entourage.
If you wish to return, Canaletto
Cannot help you. Seek, but do not trust,
Some master of chiaroscuro.

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