Cold Parisian Nudes

Edward — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:39:29 +0000

In Paris recently a group of life models protested in the city streets in a completely nude (some may say lewd) act of defiance. The problems occurred when a ban was imposed on artists giving the models tips after their sessions. The city hall was first bombarded with complaints but the situation came to ahead the other day with mass protests composed of red shivering legions of the bold and the beautiful. The following poem is in honour of those starving modern day equivalents of Rodin’s naked muses.

Life drawing class

Cold Parisian nudes, stand tight in frigid rows,
Their painted banners unfurled like national flags flapping.
More pay they demand and more respect for no clothes,
“Can’t you see our pride unwrapping?!”

Goosebumps tingle in the freezing afternoon air,
Where thighs stand pale white and noses turn red.
Behind, decorated Christmas trees stare,
Whilst kids laugh heels over head.

The problem first occurred with Paris City Hall,
When they banned the tradition of the ‘cornet’,
A piece of paper rolled and passed around for tips and all
With thanks for their bodies they let.

“It’s artistic and physically demanding work
To stand and sit for hours requires strong fitness,
And in France, life modelling is a serious perk”,
Observed a naked witness.

Nearby artists sketch the shivering arrangement,
In solidarity with their linked cause;
A megaphone cries out their bared estrangement,
From the past and new city’s laws.

The original story can be found in this Guardian newspaper article from the 16th of December this year.

(Please note – These are quickly written verses in response to current events which I create for fun and in no way exemplify the careful and meticulous poems I can create for you. See my portfolio for examples)

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Cold Parisian Nudes