Nude with Seashell.- Sonnet after William Bouguereau
Just as I thought I’d finished with the best of Bouguereau,
I chanced upon this painting which has filled me with intrigue.
Whatever she is listening to I’m curious to know;
is it music she is hearing like Rachmaninov or Grieg?
Why is she kneeling on the sand, stark naked, all alone
and is her left hand gesturing to a boyfriend to stay quiet?
I don’t believe she’s ordering from Pizza Hut by phone
‘coz unless I am mistaken, she’s already on a diet.
Is it a cell phone or a seashell that she’s holding in her hand
and, as I’ve often done myself, is she listening to the sea
while her boyfriend (maybe also nude?) has gone off down the sand
to find a quiet, secluded spot where he can have a pee?
All these and other questions are revolving in my mind
but, whatever she is listening to, I guess I’ll never find.
Hugh Wyles, September 5th. 2008.
Oil on canvas “Woman with seashell” (undated)
By William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905).
Author notes
All these and other questions keep revolving in my mind
but, whatever she is listening to, I guess I’ll never find.
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Clever as ever
It is hard for me... to be concerned
About what she is listening to...
oops
But all right here that you have discernedOn this subject is all that is true
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What a humorous take on this painting, Hugh
Perfectly presented with imagination showing
A lovely maid, a lover nearby, what else need be said
In this perfect little Sonnet, smoothly flowing
Oh my gawd.. I've caught the rhyming comment bug
Dee
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Dear Hugh,
I'm glad you found another painting to write about, I love them. It is interesting to imagine what she's thinking. At least she's in a cave where no one can see her, unless as you say her lover is just out of sight. Love your Sonnet my dear friend, I hope you find some more of his.
Love Bea
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Witty indeed, but have you considered
the perspective from the patient model,
who in a minute she is about to scream,
"Hey, Bouguereau, hurry up and finish
for I have cramps in my knees, arms and hand,
and I'm kneeling on the prickly, bloody sand!"
Great job, Hugh!
M-C
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another great poem. you really know how to use your words so it turns out perfect. lovely poem and picture.
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Dear Hugh,
It's great that you found another William Bouguereau painting and it would be interesting to know what she's doing on the beach stark naked. When I put a shell to my ear it's lovely to hear the sound of the ocean coming from it.
But you could be right, she could have a lover just out of view, she seems to have gone into a cave, hmmm, maybe she doesn't want to be seen. A very interesting take on the picture Hugh, she is very lovely.
Thankyou for sharing it with us.
Love Jen
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First, that is the great thing about art...whatever form, writing, painting, sculpture, etc...that enjoyment of seeing and wondering what is going on. You of course took it to a humorous extreme...yay.
"while her boyfriend (maybe also nude?)"
and
"I don’t believe she’s ordering from Pizza Hut by phone"
Hey! That's Yemish! 
You'll never know how much I like those two lines!
It's one of those kinds of poems I wish I'd written. You write lots of talented stuff that we all appreciate, but I think this may be one that only I will truly appreciate...and it's proof to what I've always said, there is undervalued wit to excellent off-the wall humor. It's that addition of the least expected situation or the clever tongue-in-cheek statement. And both can be seen in those lines I highlighted and the poem in general.
Bravo Hugh on a highly successful, witty, humorous piece!
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