The Discovered Unartist

Cherry

By Bee

Wed, 07 Jan 2015
  • 8881 reads
19 comments
 

When I was five, or four,
I drew like a child, 
and though I've since tried,
I find that I can't any more.

I can still draw, 
but the lines are refined 
to the point that I've lost 
the ability to see what I saw

age five, or four, when I burned
with powers of invention 
which lasted the blink till I grew, 
and unknew all I'd learned.

Sadly lost - spurned -
the artist I was in the days 
when I longed to draw like an adult -
the tables were turned.

When I was four, five, no more -
I was filled with the spirit 
of freedom that died
when they tried to teach me to draw

like those who deplored
the why and the what
I forgot on the way to the top
and the sadness is raw.

Certificate PG
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

This reminded me of when my son was being taught about the 'rules of composition' for music, and I worried he would lose what seemed to be spontaneous and individual intuition for what would make interesting sound. He assured me it wouldn't, but I think there was a tension for a while at least.
I think watching a child draw may trigger your memories of that way again - and combine with more mature ways to produce something very interesting?? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

I get what you are saying, Rhiannon. I'm all for teaching children techniques that will give them tools to help them as they develop, but I'm mindful of not squashing the magic out of them as so often happens. So I totally get how you felt about your son. Mia - five and a half, is into unicorns at the moment. She drew the picture (above) from a photo of a horse, coloured it, and there was a part of me that for a second wanted to advise her against adding the horn, but I would have been wrong. Glad I didn't. 

Thanks for sharing - nice story. 

Bee

Submitted by celticman on

Lovely Bee of the things we should see, but turn it into a tree. Great. I like this. 

 

Submitted by Bee on

So glad you liked. Thanks CM.

Bee

Submitted by Sooz006 on

Bee, this is lovely,  I really liked  this and think it's well deserving of the cherry.  And don't worry, once dementia hits you'll be able to undraw again. 

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Sooz - that's reassuring.

Bee

Submitted by catherine poarch on

The lovely picture caught my eye and then I enjoyed the poem. I like the going back to four and five of this and the last stanza is great. I feel a bit like this about writing, that too much planning stories beforehand has made it harder to just write like I used to. So I've got a diary and on each small day I'm writing a daft story, one or two sentences at a time with no idea where it's going! 

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Catherine.

What a really great idea! Really pleased you liked things about this. 

Thank you. 

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks for the lovely cherries!

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

A lovely drawing and a thought-provoking poem.  I guess we're never quite want we want to be.

Submitted by Bee on

You could be right Philip. Shame we had to lose what we were to find out - sometimes.

Thank you,

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

HI Bee

Lovely poem, and how sweet the picture from little Mia. I'm sure you will treasure it.  #

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you, Jean - I will.

Bee

Submitted by Stephen Thom on

this had a v graceful feel to it when reading loved 'lasted the blink till I grew'. i enjoyed reading the comments too and i was also thinking about this poem yday. i am sure that spark remains in you despite heightened awareness etc, the same spirit that drips into this poem&everything you write,makes up a vital part of that raw sadness...v lovely piece :-)

 

Submitted by Bee on

Stephen, thank you so much for such kind words and thoughts, which are very much appreciated. 

Bee

Submitted by Parson Thru on

I like the repetition and the flipping around of words. It feels like an eel twisting and coiling to free itself of its captor. I used to draw all the time when I was small. My writing is completely unstructured and that probably limits me, but I don't really mind. Nice piece Bee.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Bee on

Maybe being unstructured doesn't limit you, but rather, gives you unlimited access to imagination without traditional boundaries. I think that's the case with a lot of artists - writers, painters, musicians - whatever... I liked what you said. Thank you, PT.

Bee

Submitted by RJF on

A sad bu lovely poem Bee. R

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks R.

Bee