Bare Ruin'd Choirs was inspired by Shakespeare's Sonnet 73. It is a beautiful sonnet which captures the mood of these challenging times. Symbolism is embedded in the story of this painting to create a multilayered interpretation. Sonnet 73: That time of year thou mayst in me behold By William Shakespeare That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. In me thou see'st the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west, Which by and by black night doth take away, Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, As the death-bed whereon it must expire, Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by. This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well which thou must leave ere long.