Featuring cherita!


February 28, 2014

Poetry Friday--"In the Detail"

Click on image to enlarge for easier reading. © Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. "The Orchard" by Thomas Cooper Gotch (1887), courtesy The Athenaeum.

Here is another in my series of occasional ekphrastic poems (ekphrasis is art about art, in this case, poetry inspired by a painting). The artist, Thomas Cooper Gotch (1854–1931) painted some interesting pictures, a number of which are available for viewing online. One that I find particularly striking is titled, "The Child in the World." What a stylistic difference between it and "The Orchard" above!

Courtesy The Athenaeum.

The Round-Up this week is being held at Poet! Poet!

20 comments:

  1. I love the contrast between the image and the title. Is this how the world seems to the child? Imagine what The Adult in the World might look like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz, this is what we sell kids with our fairy stories.

      Delete
  2. I like the comparison between the growth of the fruit and the growth of her inner courage -- gradual development for both. Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really enjoy all your ekphrastic poems, Diane. Like the final lines, especially, and it was nice to compare Gotch's two styles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoy them, because I certainly enjoy writing them! I'm planning on looking for more of Gotch's work.

      Delete
  4. I posted an ekphrastic poem today, too! I'm finding myself more and more fond of that form. It is sweet to delve into two types of creativity at once. I particularly love your lines "the clusters of Queen's Anne's/lace that nearly engulfed her"--lovely sounds, and it made me appreciate the painting even more.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love "there exists a nascent courage" that angels could not exist without. A wonderful thought and such a compelling image. I am always inspired by the way you combine words and images.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Margaret. Perhaps Clarence Odbody came to mind when I wrote this--too many viewings of It's a Wonderful Life over the years!

      Delete
  6. I like the way your present your poem as a kind of study, Diane, as if you are writing for a museum piece, to be shown with the painting. The poem enhances the two works very much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've long wanted to write haiku and short poems to accompany the Currier Museum paintings. I have a Currier collection painting coming up in a PF post later in March.

      Delete
  7. Such a thoughtful and thought provoking poem. The last two lines really hit home. Can I challenge you to come up with something for "The Child In The World" also?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Lordy, I just finished up my 28 color poems and now you want to challenge me with something else?

      Here you go, a little too message-y for my tastes.

      The Child in the World

      The world has gold
      and jewels waiting
      to enrich you.

      It also has thorns that
      pierce, and dragons
      to devour you.

      Step carefully, my child,
      sometimes prize
      and pain co-exist.

      Your passions may
      move you, but your
      reason must persist.

      Delete
    2. I knew you'd be up for it-- thanks for not disappointing! I will inform my children that piercing thorns and devouring dragons are not to be messed with.

      Delete
    3. Thank you for the challenge!

      Delete
  8. Good write Diane luv your poem responses, have a nice weekend


    Much love...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Gillena, and happy carnival season to you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the last line, Diane!
    "Devils have no need of courage.
    Angels could not exist without it." Perfect!

    ReplyDelete