His Last Painting

He was an artist of repute,
Completing his portrait
Of a stunning nude,
Intensively he painted
From morning till night,
For he knew his health
Was a failing light,
His chance of survival - slight,
He finished his greatest work
On a cold, rainy day,
Content with his last painting,
He soon passed away.

The critics examined
His last effort with care
And tried to be fair,
But the consensus was,
His work wasn't much,
They said that the old boy
Had lost his touch.

Alfred Charasz
Copyright 2006 Alfred Charasz