Strokes and Shadows

Economy of line and shade
conveys so little
and evokes so much.
With brush strokes and touch
the artist captures:
a curved line – the rim of a hat;
a charcoal shadow – a gloved hand;
a vermillion smear – a pair of lips
whisper of blush.

© Kim M. Russell, 2016

 rene-gruau

Rene Gruau (1909-2004) image found on Pinterest

My response to dVerse Poets Pub Quadrille #17 – Shadow

De is our host this Monday and she has given us a wonderful prompt for a quadrille: she asks us to ponder one word, ‘shadow’, and poetically transform it into 44. The idea for my poem was ‘found’ in a brief article about a similar picture by Rene Gruau that I read in the Times last Saturday. I wasn’t sure which of the quotes to choose, but I think the following is most apt: “I thought the most beautiful thing in the world must be shadow.” ― Sylvia Plath , The Bell Jar 

64 thoughts on “Strokes and Shadows”

  14. Your poem, even without the image, stands on its own, The sparseness and sensuousness of your words, the flow and feel, the curves and blush-ness (to coin an adjective or state of being) of the vermilion smear – of lips – and the lovely internal rhymes…. are a delight.
    Randy

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  16. Yes, your Q44 uses every syllable & sigh to encapsulate that minimalist painting, very impressive & completely effective, the perfect been of word & image.

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    1. I like it when my poems rhyme naturally – I never start a poem with rhymes in mind. I suppose it depends on the poem and topic, even the way I feel when I’m writing. I think I prefer half-rhymes though. 🙂

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