Mort de Vagabond, after Legros

Online image available at The Art Institute of Chicago.

"MORT DE VAGABOND",
AFTER LEGROS

(Knoedler Gallery, New York)

The tramp
the tree
these two
both old
both grey
the tree perhaps
         already
         dead
But yet there is
stark beauty
in the tree
There is nothing of beauty
about the tramp
who is not
       yet
       dead
He lies forlorn
and stiff
His bones of legs
lie straight
and arms that are same
lie same
Feet that have touched
the earth
point heavenward
And eyes
that have seen raw life
stare blankly
as of one
who does not fear to die

© Gerald England

Composed: Ackworth, 26th June 1968

Publications

1973 Roots (UK)
1988 Waterways (USA)
1998 LIMBO TIME (Hyde, New Hope International)
1999 Black Creek Review (USA)