Japanese Colour-Prints by Gordon Bottomley Lyrics

They sell them by the Odéon in Paris yonder,
These scattered petals of that rich bloom Japan.
Deep jewels are crushed to stain each porcelain plan,
Great unfamiliar flowers are torn asunder,
High-tinted and bright-pollened, a sunrise splendour,
To paint these men fantastic, serious, wan,
Exotic drowsy women of sash and fan,
And ivory girls with almond eyes of wonder.
Here's one. A lady walks grey meads somewhere
In rosy skirts that curl extravagantly
And a green robe where clematis seems to die—
Some Primavera-vision gone astray.
Neath pink pale curds of May-bloom in the air
Sleep unimportant legends rose and grey.