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.
