The Shepherdess – A Copy

I remember
 the silence
the solitude
the softness of lambs
looking for their mothers
the world
somewhere else
the youth
of my dreams
the peace in my heart.
 
I was not original
copying another’s vision
how was it wrong
to be so serene
as I learned
the technique
and satisfaction
of being an artist
long ago
and faraway
still within sight
every day.

I am breaking my ‘rule’ and posting this poem after writing it very spontaneously, very quickly. I wanted to post something for Easter to go along with this painting that I did many many years ago, that hangs in our living room. You may recognize it as a likeness of The Shepherdess (1866) by Johann Baptist Hofner. I used to copy other artists a lot in the ‘old’ days – it is a great way to develop, I think, like a lamb learning from its mother, all innocence and belief .

The Shepherdess by Johann Baptist Hofner

Blessings for Easter, Passover, and Spring!

©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton . Thank you.