Cėzanne’s Ports
by Allen Ginsberg
In the foreground we see time and life
swept in a race
toward the left side of the picture
where shore meets shore.
But the meeting place
isn’t represented;
it doesn’t occur on the canvas.
For the other side of the bay
is Heaven and Eternity,
with a bleak white haze over it mountains.
And the immense water of L’Estaque* is a go-between
for minute rowboats.
*L’Estaque – Fishing village in France
where Paul Cėzanne, French Postimpressionist,
painted many of his views of the sea.
The piece shown is entitled L'Estaque (1839-1906)
