Guns and Roses

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Fri, 06 Jan 2012
  • 1810 reads
13 comments
 

Blind since birth,
he paints flowers...
their taste
their feel
their smell.

Sans training –
entirely
self-taught.

No brush
he uses, just
his hands,
and a Braille stylus,

etches his outline
in oils...then, climbs
inside his rose,
his lily,
or his gentian violet.

Pays no heed
to world affairs...
to politics
and other such
trivial things;

thinks
only of mimosa
and jasmine.

One night,
he dreams
a mob breaks in –
slash
his canvasses –
stamp
his precious paint
into the ground.

Hears his mother,
aunt, and cousin
scream.

Come morning, vows
to paint his flowers
exploding with sound...
all guns blazing.

Certificate PG
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Highhat on
Is this someone you know. What a brave person- you portrayed him well- Very appropriate Guns and Roses- ;)Pia

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
I'm so glad someone asked this question, Pia, and might have known it would have been you;-) I only know of this man, unfortunately, as he is quite unique, and would love to meet him personally. His name is Esref Armegan...54 years old and born in Turkey. He was born, in fact, with no eyes, owing to a genetic birth defect. His paintings are incredible, in that he uses colour, scale and perspective. Harvard University carried out tests on his brain by using an MRI scan, and asking Esref to 'paint a picture in his mind'. They found that visual areas of his brain come alive when he thinks of drawing, owing to the fact he uses tactile skills. I.e. making plans of picture by shapes he has previously felt with his fingertips. although this doesn't explain his miraculous powers of sensing three-dimensional perspective. Esref's last word on the matter is that he wishes to be remembered for what he paints, not how he paints, and the rest of the world would find it hard, I think, to argue with that;-) So pleased you enjoyed this poem, and through writing it, I have learned a lot, which to me is what this whole 'writing thing' is about. Sorry I've rambled on, and thanks, once again, Pia for giving me the benefit of that wonderfully enquiring mind of yours;-) Tina

 

Submitted by jolono on
Tina not only is it a great poem, its a great story as well. it brings the whole thing to life. Thank you.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, so very much, jolono. I am only pleased that I have brought this remarkable man to the attention of at least, a few more admirers. Not only of his paintings, of course, but of his tremendous courage. Thanks again, and I hope you have a great weekend;-) Tina

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Yes fab story and poem Tina - this is a beautiful piece of writing - I had a horrible vision before I read it from the title, som kind of axle rose/slash homage but I should have known better. :-)

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Many thanks, fb...and yes, I see what you mean about the title. I am more than pleased you were pleasantly surprised;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Highhat on
Yes a very extraordinary person this Turk. I think I will google him and hope that I hit Jackpot..thanks a mill for the explanation- where on earth did you find him? On telly? Sorry there I am again- I am so inquisitive aren't I? Just googled him- he IS amazing- what beautiful paintings.. thanks for the homage to him- really well penned- painted with your pen- a fine tribute... ;)Pia

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi again, pia;-) I'm really pleased you googled him. There is also an amazing video on youtube, I'm not sure if you've seen. Again, you ask an interesting question. I was literally just sitting at my desk, grasping at straws, trying to think of an inspiration for a poem, and the thought crossed my mind if it was possible to paint, if one had always been blind. And the rest is history, as they say;-) Thanks again, and as my all-time favourite English teacher, Miss Sigley used to say, 'Tina...never, but never, stop asking questions;-) Have a peaceful weekend, pia. Tina;-)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, I've just looked up Esref Armegan and saw the video on you tube. Being into painting myself, I found this amazing, how the brain can give him the information he needs, to put down what he feels and I never realised that a braille stylus could help in painting. Your excellent poem has introduced the reader to a very special man, with an incredible talant, exactly like your own Tina. It's so wonderful to be able to get lost in your art, it makes everything so much better. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
I couldn't agree more, Jenny...about getting lost in our art. It is certainly a form of escape for many people, me included. So pleased you looked up Esref. Quite an amazing person, as you say, and I am pleased you enjoyed my poem. Tina;-)

 

Submitted by Kahdai on
I cannot understand how he cant paint things that are visible here when hes never seen it, if maybe hed gon blind ii would believe it, I can paint with my eyes closed, tho most of my vision is things I have already seen or can imagine because I have seen colours & shapes before ...

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
No, I can't believe it either, Kahdai, but he can. Just by instinct and feeling the shapes. Because he has never been able to see, the 'visibility' part of his brain has, in some way, adapted to the sense of touch. Another way to describe it, would be a miracle, I guess. Tina;-)

 

Submitted by Kahdai on
well good for him!

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "