"In Bed" by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec
He left early for work
She got him his breakfast
The children were crying
He knew what time he had
A quick peck to the cheek
"I'll see you tonight"
And then he was gone
She wondered what he did
As she washed the kids
Dressed and then fed them
Two would go to school
That left baby and her
To think of her man at work
Did he ever think of her?
Did he brag about them?
Tell others of his children
Or did he just keep quiet
As he earned his pay
He didn't talk much
Couldn't even save much
With five mouths to feed
What she did lke though
Was he touched her face
As he came through the door
Took hold of the little one
Lifting her up laughing
Before hugging the others
As they clamored around
Later when all were quiet
Asleep in their little beds
They would talk a little
Not about much at all
Then they would go to bed
He'd draw pictures on her back
And she knew he loved her
Image found at www.wikiart.org however following the concern about the original picture posted may I offer an alternative found at www.etsy.com.
Oh. What a wonderful approach to this challenge! Giving her a priileged point of view and not talking about perfection gives me an intimate vantage point for this tale of a stay-at-home mom who finds the good in her relationship with the working-world father of her children. He touches those he loves in beautiful ways. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we don't need that many words..if love is there so certainly it just is...constant..reliable..reassuring...shared and known
ReplyDeleteIt feels the love is real in this family...
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful picture of the family. One I can relate to well.
ReplyDeleteThis brings tears....you drew his portrait so lovingly...so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteTalking about not much at all while drawing pictures on her back...aw...that's really sweet....it's those little things that make up the big love!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this is the life I once dreamed of. Sigh. So beautiful. A phenomenal man he was!!!!!! And his wife knew it. And knew she was loved.
ReplyDeleteThe verse is great, but the image....wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLovely stuff OE.
ReplyDeleteI guess us girlies - speaking as one - often fail to see that our menfolk do not necessarily want the life that they have, as in the workplace - but someone has to bring home the bacon. (My husband taught me this.)
Life is not a bowl of cherries for either gender - but love and appreciation of each other is.
Anna :o]
The painting " In Bed " is actually a painting of two lesbians from a brothel .
ReplyDeleteJust sayin' ~
Ssh! It is the image and impression that counts.
DeleteIt's a wonderful painting but I think your lovely poem would have been better illustrated with a man and woman .
Deletelove the soft beauty sketched here and so peaceful....love ought to be like that...
ReplyDeletei echo susan's comments. you depicted a common dad and a wife and mother who saw his good points
ReplyDeletegracias for sharing