Poetry: The Riviera A History In Pictures By Aqeel Parvez

the riviera a history in pictures

 

inhabited by arcadia 

adroit 

observing madness 

but wary 

length of an arm 

in prime exuberance 

the riviera was playground 

but reputation climbed up the steps 

at the hotel du cap 

a british tourist bathed in wine 

a young couple accommodating 

bohemia 

for comfort for fortunes 

the established order changed 

she said ‘im open for summer’

how dramatic 

chic and long silhouettes golding in the sun slathered in banana oil 

john harvey kellogg suggested sunlight was beneficial to human health 

a suntan used to be a sign of poverty 

ofc it all started on the tennis court 

in 1919 lenglen won the singles without the support of a corset 

revealing her deeply tanned exposed skin

Coco.chanel arrived on the cote de azur 

acquiring a deep tan 

symbols of youth soothed the loose

Olga in a tutu

picasso complained it was too rowdy

 

 

 

 

 

Aqeel Parvez has had work in STIMULANT, Expat Press, Back Patio Press, Bruiser Mag, Bizarre Publishing, DONT SUBMIT etc. etc. etc.