In the Room of the Impressionists, by Andrea Potos

Rainy Day in Paris, by Gustave Caillebotte (France) 1877

In the Room of the Impressionists
                       Art Institute of Chicago

Too tired to roam anymore through the maze
of galleries, I found the polished wood bench.
Before me, an arc of school children on the floor,
a French teacher gesturing with her hands, her voice
an impassioned plea for the great canvas of Caillebotte’s
behind her:  Paris Street, Rainy Day, 1877,
        the shining wet cobblestones and star-shaped intersection,
city dwellers chatting and strolling under their grey umbrellas.
I have long forgotten all my college French, I can’t tell you what
she is saying, I am letting my eyelids close and hearing
the clip-clopping of horses, the carriages hurrying past,
raindrops drumming their music on the awning of the cafe.  

Andrea Potos

This was first published in Mothershell (Kelsay Books).

Andrea Potos is the author of nine poetry collections, most recently Mothershell (Kelsay Books), A Stone to Carry Home (Salmon Poetry), and Arrows of Light (Iris Press).  "You can find my poems published widely in print and online.  Travelling and art are the greatest inspirations for my work."