Painting the Homeless Godly

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By Silver Spun Sand

Thu, 25 Feb 2016
  • 6176 reads
18 comments
 
As long as spots go, hand in hand, with chickenpox 
so Billy was always there in the pitch next to mine –
at the junction of Falton Street, and Greene Avenue; 
watching  me paint, but he never spoke.
 
A bag of bones on a spineless street, summed him up, 
and I often wonder if he inhabits it still – that skin
and if it still longs for  love and compassion.
 
He ever was my inspiration...the ideal artist’s model.
No posing.  What you saw, exactly what you got;
an aura about him...his eyes – alive, somehow 
with the intangible light of a martyr’s, a greyer
shade of, ‘Why?’
 
Then, one day, he just wasn’t there anymore...
whittling chips of wood into clothes pegs..
Did a roaring trade...a chip off the old block,
doing what his dad had done, and his before.
 
So I raised him up. None can ignore him now;
a boarded up church – a blank canvas, too good
to resist...
 
To him I give a carmine cloak to warm 
the sun starved  valley of his shoulders, add a glint 
to those grey eyes of his...and if grey indeed is 
the colour of Hope, give him a candle to see it by.
Certificate 12
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual
Philosophy
Biography

Comments

Submitted by VeraClark on

This is really beautiful. Two things: One, you captured the person inside the anonymous and stereotypically perceived homeless guy, one, you've used a pen portrait in unusual colours to restore social hope. It's a very strong piece of work in my view. 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you, Vera...your words, as ever, much valued.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

As Vera says, you have managed to deftly capture something of the person, longing for  love and compassion, and yet keeping himself so busy with his wood-chipping skill, not just A bag of bones on a spineless street. - what a phrase that is!
And you evoke to me also the skill of being able to paint, which I definitely haven't got, and the fulfilment of using it not just to capture the exterior, but to try to convey strength of character, and even hope, the title indicating it may be a sure, godly hope. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

And thank you so much, to you, Rhiannon. How well you have encapsulated the spirit of this piece, and indeed, the man himself.  I love dabbling around with paint, brushes, and the odd pallette knife, but that's about as far as it goes, especially when you see some of the works of art these amazing artists create.  

A peaceful day to you.

Tina

 

Submitted by loquaciousicity on

You've drawn a fine, vivid picture with your words!

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Terry - so good of you to drop by.  Pleased you enjoyed.

A peaceful Friday to you.smiley

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

This beautiful poem is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day!

Get a great reading recommendation every day.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks for brightening my day.smiley

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Well deserved pick of the day!

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Ed...you're a star.  Thank you.

Tina

 

Submitted by celticman on

I guess we capture the model by looking inside. You've done that here. 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, celticsmiley Ace.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This beautiful piece is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

smiley  Thank you.  Means much.

Tina

 

 

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Great. I loved the bag of bones line too. And you made him so real and vulnerable, it leaves you wondering too, even if he's imagainary, what happened to him?

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, catherine...and the answer to your question is that nobody knows.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Lovely.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Glad you thought so, dear Bee.

Tina