George paints in situ

in   sit   u

easel and brush,

feet planted on

Antipodean, foreshore bay

a Russian discovering

Sydney's cockles, sharks and stars,

high drama, little waves,

stealing the Premier's daughter,

making the distant Heads plain,

vain London fading.

Nearby,

Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay,

in poor English

saying,

'The new is at your feet.'

- after View of the Heads, 1860-1880, George F Halsted

© Garry McDougall