Chris Baldauf

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The Bath

February 19, 2016 By Chris Baldauf 6 Comments

This is a poem written when Leo Luke Marcello first introduced me to ekphrastic poetry. (A dramatic description of a work of art.)

This is for you, Dr. Marcello.

 The Bath

The Bath, Mary Cassatt (1893)
The Bath Mary Cassatt (1893)

One hundred years
much has changed, but little
daughter’s foot, mother’s hand
washing the hard-spent play.

Towel-draped cherub
rests, nestled in her lap.
Pearl skin and raven hair,
reflections of genes well spent.

Delicate flowers
the pattern recurs,
wallpaper, pitcher, and carpet
blooms of life and growth.

Satin striped robe
same violet echoes
rim around the washbowl.
Repeats the circle.

Love without end,
grace freely given,
whispers the lullaby
washes eternal.

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About Chris Baldauf

Born-again Southerner, Chris grew up in Michigan and relocated with her husband, digging their way through snow banks until alligators halted their progress south. Chris possesses a B.A. in English from McNeese State University and a master’s degree in lying, the prerequisite of a good fiction writer.

Comments

  1. Dianne Atkins says

    February 19, 2016 at 9:42 am

    “The Bath” picture didn’t open up for me right away, so I didn’t have the visual of the picture to see when I first read your poem.
    I liked the poem Chris but if I were to be honest, I like your stories much more.
    When we had to write poetry in English class all those years ago, I failed miserably at it…LOL.

    I did get the image in my mind of that picture through your prose which means…you did a GREAT job if you can make that happen with me 🙂

    Reply
  2. Linda Todd says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:11 am

    Love it, Chris.

    Reply
    • Chris Baldauf says

      February 23, 2016 at 9:10 am

      Thank, Linda.

      Reply
    • Chris Baldauf says

      February 23, 2016 at 9:18 am

      Thanks, Linda. I’m trying to follow in your wake.

      Reply
      • Brenda Romero says

        April 23, 2016 at 10:33 am

        Beautifully written, Chris.

        Reply
        • Chris Baldauf says

          May 3, 2016 at 3:43 pm

          Thank you, Brenda

          Reply

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