MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES, Pieter Janz (1602-1672) 

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

John 6:8-11

MISTRUSTING EMANATA

He's placed on the right, the side of what's to come, 
by the rule of thirds, in that invisible vortex  
that steals the viewer’s attention. 

For emphasis, he's where the two lines of elders, 
women, and children, meet, at the peak of the V.  

So he can do this, he sits. 

Among men, he alone has a head full of vigor,
of hair, and, just in case, around him there is a clearing
marked by emanata, the lines we see in cartoons  
and meant to convey expressiveness.  

And yes, a miracle's about to happen. 

The so much emphasis betrays mistrust,
on the part of the drawing,  
that the medium-built, no doubt smelly,
dirty man that he was, so Middle Eastern in looks
and manner of speaking, with missing teeth and caught 
in a moment of weariness,  
as we are when we don't grin in selfies,  
would have caught our attention
as he was.   

That we would have believed him. 

That we would have listened to him. 

That we would have chosen to see ourselves, bettered, 
in this man.  

Is the artist to blame that we are still searching? 

—Stefan Balan