Statues among bamboo and trees are shaped
steel, smoothed marble, cast bronze and concrete
Material and immortal, they space
themselves as if they breathe the air
As if they were an ancient Henge and not
recent, as if land-shaped and not landscaped
We walk a maze, surprised at every turn,
art teaching us to see forests as trees
And making us forget to read labels
on trunks, on posed and painted human forms
Indeed, to join the show, to rest, to note
movements of mortals, costumes of today
Or not. To grab a bench, take out a pen,
find words and generate found poetry
And choose: Enter deeper reality
or weave illusion on the spot. Spit spot.
Linger or speed, turn right or left, stand up,
or sit on architectural stages
As one with waiting things that envy trees
their roots, heartwood, green strength, wrinkles and grace.
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Nature’s Laugh by Gunnar Theel, my own photo
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Posted at Poets United Poetry Pantry #316
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2016 Susan L. Chast
We have so much to learn from nature but mankind is quite contrary in inventiveness no more so than in artistic endeavors where there is no limit to our imagination, challenging rules just to impress.
ReplyDeleteThat's intriguing; a walk through art and nature and where they meet. There is so much in this that fascinates. I definitely loved this bit: "And choose: Enter deeper reality/or weave illusion on the spot. Spit spot."
ReplyDelete-HA
What a magical title and i felt like i was playing in that woodland with you.. figuring out thoughts and words.. separating out the wood from the trees.. the spit spot rhymes were pitch perfect and the whole sense of your poem filled me with wonder and thoughts
ReplyDelete" To grab a bench, take out a pen,
ReplyDeletefind words and generate found poetry "
And yes - either enter deeper reality or weave illusion with our words: the poet's choice..an
important one - but I think both poet and reader can discern the difference in the result.
Whistles!! ❤ Goodness this is so good 'And choose: Enter deeper reality or weave illusion on the spot. Spit spot.' Inspired :D
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
Lovely, lovely, lovely. It's so hard to do ekphrastics that live up to the works of art they celebrate – I think you have succeeded beautifully.
ReplyDeleteNature especially trees are the fastest road to inspiration...thank you...bkm
ReplyDeleteI love the sense that artist can make us really see nature... maybe we need nature to see art as well... Love that connection.
ReplyDeleteso beautifully expressed & i see the glimpse of a story hidden here "green strength, wrinkles and grace."....
ReplyDelete"Enter deeper reality or weave illusion on the spot." I vote for illusion. Reality is not kind, these days. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting poem, Susan. How art / sculptures can bring out the definition of trees. The way your words have moulded material objects into the landscape as tho' they've been there for decades and more.
ReplyDeleteto linger and let the words come--or not--found poetry is always the best--I loved how you settle into the picture and pull us there with you--beautiful write Susan
ReplyDeleteto linger and let the words come--or not--you pull us into this scene--such a beautiful write!
ReplyDeleteLove that ending. To me it meant there's more.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and inspiring...especially loved the concluding lines.
ReplyDeleteThis piece is really special. I've noticed that you, often, weave a loose form of assonance through your work that really lends a lovely polish - especially when your poems are read aloud. In this poem, for example, I thought your use of the ee sound (pretty much, throughout) works so - melodiously - well.
ReplyDeleteTerrific movement and thoroughly enjoyed the choices as well as "spit-spot"
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful....and yes it inspired me....now I want to write something...I haven't for months....
ReplyDeleteA lot of the best design and sculpture is inspired by the perfection of the natural world.
ReplyDeleteSusan, your words move as a dance with sculptures, trees and we the beholders each reflecting distinct parts in the dynamics. The photos you selected project the playfulness your words capture. Ending with "grace" made me want to circle around again from the top. When there's SO much that could be said, your economy of words identify in pitch-perfect rhythms a precious exchange. What a gift! Please get this "out there!"
ReplyDeleteGenerating found poetry is one of my delights too.
ReplyDeletei loved the shape, and sounds of this poem. yes, it's a delight to read it aloud.
ReplyDeleteit is as if i am taking a walk through our botanical gardens here.