The Gondola Man (Venice) (2023)Acrylic painting
by Suzette Datema

The Gondola man
It is early morning.
The Gondola man is yawning.
The air is fresh
and he is properly dressed.
He is sitting next to his boat,
texting a friend, feeling a bit remote.
"Here I am, in the bitter cold,
Waiting for tourists, young and old.
They are few and far inbetween.
A thanks to Covid, a real bummer.
Now my kids know what is hunger.
Tourists were plenty, spending like kings and queens.
Students having above their means.
These days, I have to be creative,
To attract anyone evasive.
The gold on my gondola shines so bright,
All clean and inviting, a beautiful sight.
I sing my heart out to couples in love,
About romance and happiness, although feeling rough.
Inside, my heart cries and sighs,
As I see all the deceit and lies.
The world has changed, it's no longer free,
Now controlled and gloomy, a sight to see.
I dare not speak, for fear of being sued,
My face to one expression glued.
Forgive me, my friend, for dumping my sorrows, on your doorstep,
Maybe I got out of the bed with the wrong leg.
Maybe the sun will shine bright soon again.
A wish that the the world will stay sane.
A place where all will care
and nothing will cause a scare.
So long my friend, until we meet again,
Hoping for better times, free from the poison pen.

Materials used:

Canvas on board with acrylic paints

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 92 x 113 x 2.5cm (framed) / 81 x 101cm (actual image size)
• Framed and ready to hang
• Signed on the front
• Style: Impressionistic
• Subject: Architecture and cityscapes

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