John Watt Poet Couplet

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"One can speak poetry just by arranging colours well,
just as one can say comforting things in music" 
                                     ~ Vincent Van Gogh

You sing of beauty as you paint 
in colors bold, with scant restraint -
poetic truths that harmonize
with tales of hope in the reprise.
A human symphony in oils,
of workers weary in their toils -
depicted honest, good, and true,
and your most loyal subject: you.

Compose a masterpiece to cast
poetic fragrances that last
one generation to the next
that parlay comfort to the vexed.
Though you were versed in tragedy,
you showed us, Vincent, what could be;
in vivid, dancing hues. Your goal:
portraying beauty of the soul.


Written 29 Jan 2022

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Andrea Dietrich March 6, 2022 at 12:29 PM Can't find a new poem of yours to reply to but thanks for seeing three of mine, John. Have a lovely Sunday. I now can put my computer away and work on a few poems!! John Watt March 6, 2022 at 4:00 PM Enjoy your writing day, my friend. Hope you're feeling inspired.

Ann Peck February 26, 2022 at 11:16 AM A beautiful poem about a tortured soul. I like especially, "poetic fragrances that last..."that's lovely. John Watt February 26, 2022 at 2:28 PM Thank you very much Ann! It's a blessing to me to know which line resonated with you. Enjoy your weekend ~ John

Malabika Ray Choudhury February 23, 2022 at 9:21 AM "portraying beauty of the soul." - Aha, what a beautiful line and ending, John. Congratulations on your fabulous win. Poetry, music, art - all go together! Are you an artist, John, of course you paint with words! Van Gogh is my favourite artist too. Warm wishes ~ Mala John Watt February 23, 2022 at 10:48 AM Mala, I have no talent with a brush (except a toothbrush maybe, lol) but I have great admiration for those who do. I'm glad to know we share a love for Van Gogh. He is the patron saint of under-appreciated artists everywhere. Thank you for your lovely comment today. Warmly ~ John

Dennis Spilchuk February 14, 2022 at 9:30 AM Poetic verse of expression with van Gogh's self-portrait as the prompt. I wrote a Villanelle using the same self-portrait with a different interpretation. Nicely done. John Watt February 19, 2022 at 5:12 PM Dennis, thank you for the honor of the comment, and the recommendation to see your interpretation. You have an amazing gift of converting the depths of fine art into equivalently deep passages of poetry that go right to the core of the painter's soul. Well done.

Jennifer Proxenos February 11, 2022 at 7:13 AM WOW - Vincent Van Gogh might have created many a masterpiece but so have you with this poem Mr John Watt - I saute your intense poetic talent ! Hugs and blessings Jennifer. John Watt February 12, 2022 at 2:50 PM You are much too kind, Jenn. His art and life have inspired me more than once, so this is my simple tribute with gratitude for his vision and courage to remain true to it. Hugs and blessings ~ John

Gershon Wolf February 5, 2022 at 5:33 PM Wow! Another magnificent write, John! ... The following has nothing whatsoever (!) to do with your poem, nor do I mean to take away one iota of its truth or flair. I just never wanted to view that awful painting of Van Gogh again, even for a moment. Instead of capturing what the man gave to the world, the 'artist' focused only on the inner horrors the man must have endured... OK, thanks again, John, for sticking to all that VVG gave to the world! Good for you! :) Gershon John Watt February 5, 2022 at 5:36 PM Thanks, GW. I'm truly sorry for causing you distress.

Andrew John February 4, 2022 at 1:08 AM Quadrameter works so well here, John. I'll be keeping my eye on you. John Watt February 7, 2022 at 3:31 PM Thanks for the visit and encouragement. I am guessing you mean 'tetrameter'? It's nice to meet you here at Poetry Soup.

Connie Marcum Wong February 2, 2022 at 7:49 AM This is an honest depiction of genius of a man who revealed his soul through his paintings. You have captured his essence brilliantly John. His passion for painting tells his tragic story. He died thinking he was a failure. Wouldn’t he feel honored how well his work is thought of today? I have been to his museum in Amsterdam and seen the diverse variety of his paintings that left me in awe. I love his work and I love this poem. I am Faving it! Blessings xxoo Connie Marcum Wong February 25, 2022 at 11:09 AM There is also a little movie theater that is free and plays the story of his life. My daughter and I spent about an hour in there. His moods can be seen through his art in shades of dark and light. John Watt February 2, 2022 at 9:38 AM Thank you dear Connie for the glowing review and fave, and for sensing the gist of his total immersion into art and expression of passion. Art is subjective of course, and every artist is an acquired taste. I'm happy to hear to got to experience his museum; it's a dream of mine to some day get there. Loved your comment, thank you ~ John

Eve Roper February 1, 2022 at 3:29 PM Great write, John. I really didn't care for his work. The lead did have a lot to do with his work. The lilies is one I like. John Watt February 2, 2022 at 9:40 AM Thank you for your visit dear Eve. Each viewer has a different take on art, and that's what I love about the diversity of artists and their styles. I appreciate your kind words. Hugs ~ John

Susan Lawrence February 1, 2022 at 8:43 AM John, Congratulations on your First Place win ! Wonderful. So poignant and beautifully written. I love Van Gogh. My first love is painting which I have done for many years. This is a FAV for me . I love A human symphony in oils ... so descriptive ..it says it all. I have always been in love with Van Gogh’s work . It is so passionate! Hugs to you, Susan :) John Watt February 2, 2022 at 9:43 AM Totally agree about the passionate artwork of Van Gogh. There is much movement, even turbulence, in his works, but also a gentle humanity and humility. I am not a painter, but it always amazes me how artists can create a style that makes their works identifiable as theirs. Thank you for your kind words and fave, such a lovely comment for me to receive. Hugs ~ John

Vijay Pandit February 1, 2022 at 6:15 AM Masterful write, as always, John. You shine in your words. BIG congrats! John Watt February 2, 2022 at 9:44 AM I'm honored to receive these uplifting words from a poet of such high caliber. Thank you Vijay, I hope you are enjoying your day ~ John

Michelle Faulkner January 31, 2022 at 2:43 PM Your verse is as vivid and mesmerizing as that of Van Gogh himself, I must say now I am inspired to take a closer look at his works - I do love his sunflowers, and I think he did something with trees, or a forest? And congratulations to you on another fine write! John Watt January 31, 2022 at 11:01 PM Thank you, my artistry sibling! Van Gogh was my gateway drug into the world of art, and he is still in my top 3 favorite artists. I just saw an immersive art experience called Beyond Van Gogh which was glorious and moving, and I wrote this the next day. I hope you have a chance to explore some more of his art. Grateful for you and your observant and generous eye.

Paula Goldsmith January 31, 2022 at 7:34 AM Congratulations on your win. A "Wonderful" write/tribute. Music, paint and poetry all go together. Have a blessed day............. John Watt January 31, 2022 at 10:58 PM Hi Paula, I appreciate your kind comment. You got the gist exactly with the trifecta of art forms. Blessings to you ~ John

Christuraj Alex January 31, 2022 at 6:10 AM Great tribute. Beautifully written. Congratulations! John Watt January 31, 2022 at 8:57 PM I appreciate the time you have spent paying a visit to my site and leaving your kind comment.

Valsa George January 30, 2022 at 8:29 PM Beautifully composed ! Congratulations on your great win friend ! John Watt January 30, 2022 at 11:02 PM Thank you for your kind visit and congrats, Valsa. Blessings ~ John

Andrea Dietrich January 30, 2022 at 7:19 PM Congrats, my friend . So well done. I had not even known you wrote for this contest. John Watt January 30, 2022 at 10:56 PM I was entry #34 of 35 last night. I snuck it past your radar, lol.

Constance La France January 30, 2022 at 2:40 PM John, congratulations on your First Place win in my C Forms - Couplet contest with your beautifully penned poem, wonderful image and quote, I liked the whole thing ~Constance John Watt January 30, 2022 at 10:58 PM Constance, I'm so honored by your lovely placement in the C Couplet contest. Your review and kind words mean a great deal to me. Serenity ~ John

Gordon Mcconnell January 30, 2022 at 1:15 PM such a lovely piece so well penned John, your words really match the art. Trust you're all well at your end, wishing you and your family a belated blessed 2022. Gordon John Watt January 30, 2022 at 11:01 PM Gordon, I'm always blessed by your visits, my friend, and appreciate your thoughtful words. All is well here.

Ilene Bauer January 30, 2022 at 11:51 AM what a beautifully composed tribute, john! you have done him justice and i hope you score at the top of the winners' list... John Watt January 30, 2022 at 11:00 PM Someday I hope to make it to NYC to view Starry Night at the MOMA. Thank you for your lovely comment, my friend.

Regina Mcintosh January 30, 2022 at 7:51 AM This is brilliant. I love it so. Hope it is a winner. God bless you. Love, Gina John Watt April 4, 2022 at 3:03 PM Thank you Gina for taking time to read and leave me your encouraging comment. God bless you ~ John

Gary Radice January 30, 2022 at 6:22 AM Truly brilliant John. Ann and I went to the Van Gogh gallery in Amsterdam in 2018 and saw the Van Gogh Alive Experience at Manchester's Media City recently. John, you have captured this master beautifully in your masterpiece. A pleasure to read. Cheers - Gary John Watt January 30, 2022 at 10:55 PM Gary, I saw Van Gogh Alive 2 days ago, and that's what inspired this write. Truly an amazing experience; I'm glad you and Ann were able to see it. Thank you for the encouraging words, my friend ~ John

Besma Riabi Dziri January 30, 2022 at 5:21 AM Wow! My favourite Artist! A great composer of unique thoughts and impressions.. colours, brush and canvas are his language.. forged by a real and mysterious imagination.. An Artist who sees what others couldn't! And you John, an Artist who paints with words what others couldn't say and compose! Great poetry from a highly gifted poet and sensitive beautiful soul.. thank you so much for sharing such a gem! Worthy of an outshining win! My deepest regards and blessings. John Watt February 26, 2022 at 2:36 PM Besma, it delights me to know we share a love for Van Gogh. As I've observed more and more art, I see deeper levels of expression than just the subject matter and whether it is portrayed realistically. You are so right about his imagination and his language being colours, brush, and canvas. You are always very generous to me with your comments and they are deeply appreciated, my friend. Blessings to you ~ John

Tom Cunningham January 30, 2022 at 4:01 AM A lovely tribute to the great artist Vincent Van Gogh. Best of luck in the contest John. Tom John Watt January 30, 2022 at 11:04 PM Thank you, my friend. He is one of my top 3 artists, and I do enjoy writing about him and his artistry.