Sunday 11 November 2007

Dublinesque


Down Stucco side streets

Where daylight is pewter

And afternoon mist

Brings lights on in shops

Above race guides and rosaries

A funeral passes.


The hearse is ahead

But after there follows

A troop of streetwalkers

In wide flowered hats

Leg-of-Mutton Sleeves

And ankle length dresses.


There is an air of great friendliness

As if they were honouring

One they were fond of;

Some caper afew steps,

Skirts held skilfully,

Someone claps time,


And of great sadness also,

As they wend away

A voice is heard singing

Of Kitty, or Katy,

As if the name meant once

All love, all beauty.



'Dublinesque', poem by Philip Larkin

Right: 'Une Rue a Dieppe', c 1898.


First exhibited in Paris,

Bernheim,1904

Last in London UK, 1960.


The parallels between 'une rue a Dieppe', and London's Cleveland Street with its no. 21, 'Kelly's Library' are distinct and obvious.

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