Vincent said, “There is
nothing more truly artistic
than to love people.”
But Vincent, when you
braved love’s snarling thicket,
you didn’t expect nervous
coughs in quiet rooms.
You believed that fungus
and algae are stronger together,
survive every kind of weather.
Now, you gaze at your lover
and see no white doves
but a parcel of crows;
no beating heart, no red rose,
just a lichen-covered log
too damp to light the fire.
Kim M. Russell, 2018
My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: Love Hurts, also linked to earthweal open link weekend
Rommy has set the challenge today with a reminder that yesterday was Valentine’s Day. She says that while some people love all the roses, cards and chocolate, others go into the psychological equivalent of diabetic shock at what they feel is a synthetically saccharine holiday.
For today’s challenge, Rommy wants us to offer our poetic thoughts on Hallmark Holidays or contribute a new poem that touches on the darker side of love (heartbreak, jealousy, etc.). It’s the dark side for me!
You hit the nail on the head with this one Kim. Vincent was so sad and this poem deeply touches on this. The log too damp to light a fire speaks of this so deeply.
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Thank you, Toni. I love van Gogh and his tragic story. he finds his way into my poetry time and again!
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I have noticed that. When I first heard his story at around 14-15, I wept for several days. I was a very dramatic teen!
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Love every line of this Vincent Valentine – thickly painted with one ear to the “snarling thicket”
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Thank you so much, Laura!
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I wasn’t sure where this prompt would take people but I love where you laned with this one. Maybe I’ll be able to venture on the dark side too
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Thank you, Candy. I’ll be looking out for your dark Valentine. 😊
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“But I could have told you, Vincent….”
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🙂
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“Now, you gaze at your lover
and see no white doves
but …”
‘Now I’ve taken off my rose colored glasses’ and I’m seeing what I should have seen along.
Felt nice reading, Kim.
I too like van Gogh. We spent a week in St Remmy, Provence, France. There he recovered at a still used sanatorium after he had cut off his ear. I have photos of his olive tree field with the little mountains in the background. Makes goose bumps still thinking of the comparison of today’s with his paintings back then. Glad you posted the wheat field. Thank you.
..
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Jim. 🙂
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Totally awesome.
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Thank you, Sherry!
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The word choices are completely perfect for the subject matter, painting a picture as bold as Van Gogh’s paintings.
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Thank you so much, Rommy!
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Oh! And Brava.. 😎🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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Thank you, Dorna!
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A definite nod to Van Gogh’s darker side. You reflected the emptiness with the last line….a log too damp to light the fire.
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Thank you, Viv.
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😊
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Enjoyed your poem and the art you chose!!!
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Thank you, Helen!
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The wet firewood is an excellent image for those failed relationships… not even a fight just absence of fire… too often that happens.
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the white doves to dark crows, the wet firewood… And yet his art still inspires…
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kaykuala
no beating heart, no red rose,
just a lichen-covered log
too damp to light the fire.
There are such specimens found along the way. Great presentation Kim!
Hank
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Thank you, Hank!
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NICE!!!
much love…
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Thank you, Gillena! Much love and have a great weekend!
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And all the passion spent…Vincent is an apt metaphor for many who burn the candle of love at both ends.
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It was just so beautiful. Even I am an aspiring poem writer. Do visit my page and let me know your reviews.
http://www.wordsofacommoner18.wordpress.com
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What a wonderfully perceptive poem, Kim. Without knowing much of Van Gogh’s story, reading this it’s easy to see how the art isn’t in the eye or brush but the heart.
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Thanks Brendan.
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So completely wonderful. I love
“Now, you gaze at your lover
and see no white doves
but a parcel of crows;
no beating heart, no red rose.”
Glorious imagery!
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Thanks so much, Sherry!
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This is beautiful and painful at the same time. Love does indeed have two sides.
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Thank you, Truedessa.
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