What should I put in my Still Life?
Not banjos or guitars,
Chianti bottles, samovars,
exquisite drapery
and through the open window there
some idyll to be seen.
No, pull the curtains, draw the blinds,
then slam the shutters shut.
Now fix them fast to wall and frame,
keep out the wind that blows.
Set on the boards the meanest fare;
no frills of sumptuous art or crafts
except a cross or crucifix
should be included there;
some water and a wholesome loaf
and something that will symbolise
the shadow cast by man.
This is my contribution for today to Writers Island's NATIONAL POETRY's Free Writing Month.
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19 comments:
pure and spartan for the day
I echo Isabel. Thanks for stilling me for a few minutes.
The final two lines provoke so many disturbing images...
You paint such powerful images with your words and rhythms, Dave, however ostensibly spartan. This one especially so, and as Stan Ski suggests those last two lines are powerful, but for me also the first lines: your 'Still Life', it has so many layers of meaning. Thanks, Dave.
I have read you for some time and this is certainly the Spartan and pure still life you would create. Frills, romance, indulgence are not your cup of tea...oooo how about a cup of tea in the still life. Just a little hedonistic touch? You wouldn't need cream or sugar.
You ended too soon, David. I was waiting to read something about your breakfast...then realized my sight was seeing yesterday's post.
Love the way you strung the verbiage out.
Did you ever read, "scribble, scribble, scribble?" by Simon Schama.
I just got a copy through Strand bookstore (a8 miles of books under one roof) and am spending more time looking up the meaning of words than anything else. He must have a regiment of looker uppers to come up with so many ways to talk about everything from Churchill to Jehovah.
I just finished a piece of Afraid at Night and it was about "Shuttering-in" and I remember how it used to be with the shutters slammed shut both inside and out.
Dave, this started out with a fairly lighthearted approach about the artist's indecision aa what to paint, and ended with a hard hit at reality. Quite apropos for today. Thanks.
Pamela
I was wondering where this one was going at first too. The last two lines made it clear. Very nicely done.
That water and wholesome loaf play off each other so well - one seems denying and the other fortifying ...
so love this poem!
"...and something that will symbolise
the shadow cast by man."
I keep thinking about what a good "something" would be here...
such a moving collection ofthoughts together in this poem Dave. Brilliant
the verification is wabeness! which nicely sums up a lot of my wabi-sabi life!
Have to echo all the others, those last two lines bring in all kinds of daylight, even though the shutters have been closed,
Elizabeth
I like the spare nature of this poem, especially the last two lines.
I am blown away by this....
Set on the boards the meanest fare;
no frills of sumptuous art or crafts
Another great one Dave
Personally, i might have gone for bread and wine, but seriously you are a very talented write.
Yes, Dave I agree, the parable path is intensifying...man should make himself just essential and scarce.
Isabel
Thanks Isabel.
Titus
And again, thanks.
Stan
So many are there that I could only hint at them.
Elisabeth
Thanks Elisabeth. I did play with the idea of using the French phrase nature morte. Still not sure if I've missed a trick, there.
Tabor
Sure, I'd go for that - even a bottle of wine, just not a fancy one!
Honest Abe
Hi, and welcome to the blog. I am a fan of Simon Schama, but no, I have not read that one. Must try to find it. Afraid at Night sounds interesting, too. Many thanks for such a fascinating response.
Pamela
Yes, you are correct. That is the way it reads, though it was not the way it came to be written!!! Interesting comment. Thanks.
Lolamouse
Much appreciate the comment. Thanks.
Kathryn Magendie
Hi, good to have you visiting and commenting. Such feedback is invariable useful and much appreciated.
Hannah
Me too, but there are just too many of them...
Gerry
Well, I had to look up your references, and was pleased I did. You've put me on to something new and potentially important, I'm thinking. Thanks, doesn't quite fill the bill, but thanks anyway!
Elizabeth
Interesting, very interesting. Some might have associated them with with the dark, but Im with you as it happens.
imnotaverse>
Hi and many thanks for that.
Carl
Once more, thanks for the support.
Mary
I would be delighted to join you! Much thanks.
Tommaso
Agreed, wholeheartedly. Maybe the poet must lead.
A perfect piece for such a day of remembrance.
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