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Friday 21 January 2011

Ladies in Snow


The image is this week's prompt from Magpie Tales

Seeing that, I'd like to be a sculptor. I would sculpt
this group of ladies ploughing through the snow.
They're perfect as they are: no need to recompose.
There's one who carries keys, large keys... the keys to what?
A church perhaps, and she - and they - are on their way
to open it. But one is wearing... wearing what? A golden chain?
A chain of office? Gold medallions? (Horse brasses
sprang to mind. But no, scrub that!) The Lady Mayoress
perhaps... but why would she be openinng the church?
They must be off to open some new pile in some
official role. They'll cut the tape and make a speech,
declare it well and truly open from now on. All that,
my dear, in snow, for snow lies everywhere. But now
the smallest lady of the group has pressed
her lips together in a long thin line. She is resolved
that she will press on, just behind the other two,
and come what may, fulfill her... what? Who knows!
But I, if I would model them in clay, would find
the clay confronting all these issues. Clay is soft
and answers every question. Begin then, with the biggy
and all the rest are given as you go.

The biggy is the unity that binds them all together.
Could they be sisters, friends - or lovers? Aunts
and niece - or strangers thrown together
in adversity? They might be ladies bountiful from church
or chapel, off to do their bit - perhaps the keys
are to the village lock-up, have been borrowed; and
the three are on their way to save the lost souls there?
These are the questions I could answer in the clay.

19 comments:

CiCi said...

A life size sculpture with a story to go with it. I wonder at the way the smallest seems to be in charge, the leader, even though she is small and in last place.

Louise said...

Gosh there are so many options, but you are right, the relationship with each other is the key.

Helen said...

The possibilities are endless, which you illustrated so well.
Clay is soft and answers every question is a great line ....

Cad said...

I had as many questions as you, about this picture! :)

Kass said...

They do look determined and you considered them nicely with your queries.

Doctor FTSE said...

They DO look like everybody's aunts, Dave. Good work . . as usual.

Berowne said...

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished sculpture. :-)

Kathe W. said...

Church mice going to meet up with the big cheese.

PonyGirl said...

beautiful and thoughtful! thank you for sharing! here's a link to my magpie: http://onewriteroneblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-friends.html

Elisabeth said...

Wonderful poem here, Dave. I love your take on those three stunning lades from a bygone era. If only we could compare it with the actual story. There would be so many tales to tell.

signed...bkm said...

I love your take on this - you could answer in clay...taking the image from photo, to writing to sculpture....all thoughts of who these ladies are...very nice, David...bkm

Dave King said...

TechnoBabe
Back seat driver, do you think?

120 Socks
Once you start, there seem to be ever more options.

Helen
I have to admit being quite pleased with it myself - though worried that others might find it incomprehensible, so thank you.

Kass
Yes, I thought they seemd both determined and relaxed.

Doctor FTSE
Everybody's aunts sums them up perfectly!

Berowne
I can see it already! Welcome to my blog, and my thanks to you for commenting.

Pony Girl
Hi, and a warm welcome to you. Thanks for the comment and the link.

Elisabeth
That would be fantastic, I agree.

signed...bkm
Welcome to you, and many thanks for the feedback. Good to have you aboard.

David Cranmer said...

The image and lines went very nicely together.

Maggie said...

This photo has intrigued many of us. I love the sense of touch that you bring into this. I just love old photos.

Dave King said...

David
Much thanks for visiting.

thingy
Yes, I found it intriguing, though I at first thought I'd not be able to do anything with it.

Dave King said...

kathew
A warm welcome to you and many apologies for overlooking you when replying first time round.

Thanks for the giggle you gave me. Great response.

Dick said...

I very much enjoyed this detailed speculation into that fascinating but challenging photograph. Looking at the picture again, I feel data-rich!

Jim Swindle said...

I enjoyed reading your analysis of the fine old photo. Fine speculations...though I don't think they're keys. (See my blog.)

Tess Kincaid said...

I love looking at this photo through the eyes of a sculptor, and the interpretation of keys instead of skates. Nice, Dave.