Renoir

Go and see what others have done," he said,
As he stared, seemingly, at each of us alone.
We listened and we obeyed,
In our childish attempts to show respect.
So hurriedly did we set off, that,
We missed his point entirely.
"But copy nothing except nature."
There were a few,
Who were less reverential,
And were still within earshot
"Why?" Asked an impudent one.
"You would be entering a temperment that is not your own,"
"And nothing you would do, would have any character."
He looked at them,
And smiled,
Realizing that he had merely confirmed,
What they already felt,
And they would also become great.
So it came to be,
And now we emulate his descendants,
Never realizing our loss.

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