Impression
Once, I traveled to a noted gallery of art
And browsed.
At one painting, I noticed
A congregation of people had gathered.The worshipers stood there, enthralled,
Staring at the canvas on the wall,
Rubbing their chins and nodding,
All in the same preposterous manner.Intrigued, I approached the crowd.
"Excuse me," I asked a devotee standing there.
"I don't mean to sound rude, but
What is so appealing about this picture?"Shocked, he turned to me and sneered,
"Have you never heard of this painting?
It is one the most famous works of all time,
Known in high society as one of the greatest masterpieces ever!"A young dreamy-eyed lady next to him
Piped in, "It is so full of emotion and expression.
On the surface, there is the obvious meaning,
But on a deeper level, it represents life itself."Still confused, I, too, began the ritual of worship,
Staring blankly at the picture on the wall.
I, too, rubbed my chin and nodded,
As if to acknowledge the "depth" of this "masterpiece."After a few minutes of this,
I turned back to the man,
Who had since returned to his previous posture,
And said, "Sir, I am not impressed."