Arty poem this will be, full of paint and turpentine Who is first to show us why we need art in our lives? Here is Mondrian, bold but shy He liked lines and squares divine Next is Rothko, big and brave Canvas filled with crimson rage Hiding just around the corner is a Brueghel Young or elder? And Gauguin seems fleeting past To exotic islands’ charms Is this fruit stand or a bistro? That’s Cézanne and still lifes, presto! Van Gogh’s vase with yellow teeming Of sunflowers' beauty screaming While Picasso’s huge Guernica Of importance Copernican For Cassatt kids were the subject At their portraits she was adept Gentileschi’s paint brush strokes Sitters’ character evoke Kahlo’s colours full of splendour Blue, green, ochre, and some yellow Savage sculpted little boy Now as ‘Gamin’ he is known! Then there’s very many others Waiting for you to discover Beauty of their composition Tints and hues, from black to crimson Have you ever wondered why we need art in our lives? What we gain by seeing beauty: portraits, landscapes, something kooky? Such a question is for you You may answer with a view You may answer as you please Art awaits any of these!