Greying auburn hair – set ablaze
by late evening sunshine,
as she gazes from a window,
over terracotta roofs – steaming
after the rain. Presses her face
against the glass, and then sits
beside the fire – warming her hands
in the flicker of austerity; arthritic
of wrist and fingers.
Hands that, once, were inspired
by chalk, charcoal, gouache,
oils and acrylics. These days,
though, her eyes don’t see too good...
not anymore; even still, they burn
like bonfires, and the scene
she depicts, does have a certain,
‘je ne sais quoi...’
A rickety easel – grubby rags
hang like flags at half-mast...
A room, a chair, a table – a lone
rose in a cloisonné vase, chipped
and dented, rusting in parts,
and a peach-cheeked lovebird
in a cage with crooked bars –
painted the greenest, somberest,
strongest shade of hope.
Comments
Stan | May 9, 2012 - 18:30
Lovely images... especially in the first stanza. And I like the sense of hope that still burns through - really encapsulated in those final lines.
Sooz006 | May 9, 2012 - 18:51
This reminds me of a song by Jewel called painters, 'And they thought that blueprints are too cold so they made them yellow.' Some lovely images in this one.
Parson Thru | May 9, 2012 - 19:16
Flippin eck Tina. Where is it all coming from? This should be hung on a wall. I think I know the one... through the main entrance hall and turn right through the double doors. A slight right again and there is a space somewhere between Renoir and Manet.
Silver Spun Sand | May 9, 2012 - 21:27
Thanks, Stan...pleased it 'hit the spot' for you;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | May 9, 2012 - 21:29
Hi there, Sooz. I shall have to look up that song. The lyrics sound 'pure gold'.
So pleased you enjoyed and many thanks for stopping by.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | May 9, 2012 - 21:31
PT - your comment is priceless....along with the Renoir and Manet, I should think. Many thanks;-)
Tina
Rhiannonw | May 10, 2012 - 10:30
enjoyed reading, Tina
Rhiannon
skinner_jennifer | May 10, 2012 - 11:25
Hi Tina,
some wonderful descriptions in this poem.
I could just picture the scene, you described it
so well.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | May 10, 2012 - 11:46
Many thanks, Rhiannon;-) I hope the sun is shining for you today, as it is here.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | May 10, 2012 - 11:48
And good morning to you, Jenny;-)
So pleased you enjoyed reading this one, and much appreciate your telling me.
Hope your Thursday is a good one. Here it is rather chaotic. They are digging up the road outisde my house and it is very noisy, and we've just had a new sink delivered so I'm trying to sort out taps and plumbers etc;-) Such is life, I guess.
Tina
skinner_jennifer | May 10, 2012 - 12:15
Hi Tina,
I hope you manage to get your sink and taps sorted
out.
I know how loud those road drills can be, some
times I wonder if the men working the drills, go
home with the shakes.
Anyway hope you manage to produce some more wonderful
poems, despite the upheaval.
I'm just hoping it doesn't rain, because I've got
my washing out.
Jenny.
sid | May 10, 2012 - 17:03
This is so atmospheric, what a beautiful mind you have
Silver Spun Sand | May 10, 2012 - 17:50
Thanks sid...that's a beautiful thing to say, and I much appreciate it;-)
Tina
MistakenMagic | May 10, 2012 - 21:33
Absolutely love the fiery imagery in the first stanza, Tina. A beautifully painted picture of a painter! Much enjoyed :-)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | May 10, 2012 - 21:47
Thanks, Magic;-) Always a treat to hear from you. Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina xxx
Esther | May 10, 2012 - 22:02
Lovely poem where hope and beauty shine through in spite of the ageing process.
blighters rock | May 10, 2012 - 22:55
You're getting good at this game, Tina. Flows and rises like mercury in a thermometer.
Silver Spun Sand | May 11, 2012 - 07:56
Much obliged to you Esther...for reading and for your words.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | May 11, 2012 - 07:57
Pleased you thought so, Richard, and I really appreciate your telling me;-)
Tina