Gregory Richard Barden Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

dear Gustav -

oh ...

Gustav, how you pique the senses
          captured passion's plural tenses

lovers twined in percale folds
          caught supine with spattered golds

porcelain dolls in fetal slumbers
          brushed sublime in tans and umbers

bold, the bleeds of Burnt Sienna
          stippling scapes of fair Vienna

Yellow Ochre, Prussian Green
          Cadmium Yellow, Blue Indanthrene

trees like soldiers, lilting boughs
          abstractions spun of silken vows

ceilings meant to thus adorn
          gilded graces - Heaven-borne

waters, tranquil - tresses, bare
          a world composing textures, rare

you struggled long to e'er refine
          your critics and uncommon line

subjects some then found appalling
          yet, remained, your faithful calling

imbibing absinthe, sans a chaser
          life you sketched with no eraser

and while we mortals can but dream
          you left the world your gauzy gleam

so death would not define the worth
          of genius meant to shake ...

the earth.






~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Klimt" Poetry Contest, Anthony Slausen, Judge & Sponsor.

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John Watt May 30, 2020 at 1:38 PM "The Kiss" is so iconic in culture that it's easy to think of him as a one-hit wonder (like Munch with The Scream or Dali with The Persistence of Memory). You have helped combat that with your broader approach and the medley of paintings in your image. Bravo to you for the insights and the educational tour of a great artist, Greg. Going into my faves ~ John Gregory Richard Barden May 30, 2020 at 10:11 PM That's very kind of you, John, and comments like yours are what spurs me on ... that was my intent with this one, (to represent Klimt on a broader canvas), and I thank you so very much for recognizing that and commenting on it. Best wishes, my friend - you are a blessing.

Line Gauthier January 7, 2018 at 8:06 PM I love it. Beautiful poem. Congrats on your win, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2018 at 8:50 PM Thanks so much, Line ... I wanted to make this about HIM - his art, life, subjects, inclinations, etc., not just "The Kiss", (which has been written about a million times now, lol), so while it wasn't at the top, I'm very proud of this poem, and so thankful that you and others (below) found it worthy. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Jannie Breedt January 2, 2018 at 4:24 AM Hi Greg. Bravo again! Youre no 1 on best new poems starting 2018 in with this brilliant couplet. It makes me so happy to see you here again. You are an inspiration to me. Gregory Richard Barden January 2, 2018 at 4:33 AM Oh, my dear friend, Jannie - you are too kind! Your opinion will always be very important to me, as will your friendship, and I'm so thankful for both! Blessings and sincere thanks to you, my brother! :-)

John Fleming January 1, 2018 at 7:17 AM Never before have I read rhyming verse that just simply rolls off the tongue with such consummate ease as this one does...absolutely sublime, Greg - truly! My warmest regards -- and best wishes for the New Year! :) john Gregory Richard Barden January 2, 2018 at 4:31 AM That means a great deal to me, John, coming from a wonderfully intelligent and talented poet such as yourself ... thank you SO much for the kind words! Blessings to you, my good friend! :-)

Kelly Hitchcock December 29, 2017 at 2:01 PM Wow...I could only hope to find the words... True poetry! Gregory Richard Barden December 30, 2017 at 8:40 PM That's very kind of you, Kelly, thank you so much! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Sunlite Wanter December 28, 2017 at 5:53 PM Poetry Soup is so educational! Here I am introduced to an artist I should have heard about, but who is new and fascinating to me - and then, there is Greg's tribute par excellence! Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 5:59 PM Oh, that is so sweet of you, SW, and I so greatly appreciate your lovely comments! You always post things that are so heart-felt and thoughtful, and I hope you know I do NOT take them for granted. Blessings to you, My Dear Poet Friend! :-) <3

Eve Roper December 28, 2017 at 1:52 PM Great verse , Gregory, congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve~`* Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 3:07 PM Thank you very much, Eve - bless you! :-) <3

Sheila Haskins December 28, 2017 at 1:05 PM What a beautiful tribute, to an innovative and perceptive artist. I love Klimt, and I loved the poem. Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 3:06 PM That's very kind of you, Sheila, thank you so very much! Blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong December 27, 2017 at 5:30 PM Your art is in unison with the painting style of this wonderful artist Greg! This is magnificent!!!.You are one talented poet! Bravo! : ) Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 3:06 PM That's very sweet of you, Connie, and I thank you so very much, Dear friend ... blessings! :-) <3

John Hamilton December 27, 2017 at 3:03 PM I'm not familiar with the artist but I love this poem, just stunning writing Greg, have to fave this work of art! Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 3:05 PM Thank you so much, John, this one is very special to me ... I'm so pleased you saw the quality in it. I tried to cover all the bases - his personality, struggles, painting style, color tendencies, subjects, and do so with a similar grace and beauty - not just one famous painting. Blessings, Bro. :-)

Probir Gupta December 26, 2017 at 8:42 AM What a beautiful couplet for Gustav Klimt ... How powerfully you use your words ... Congratulations on your nice win ... Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 3:02 PM ou are very kind with your comments, Probir, thank you so very much, Friend. Blessings! :-)

James Edward Lee Sr. December 25, 2017 at 11:11 PM This is a beautiful and well verse couplet. A fav. congrats on your placement in the contest. James Gregory Richard Barden December 28, 2017 at 3:01 PM Thank you so much, James, that's very kind of you, my friend! :-)

Subimal Sinha-Roy December 25, 2017 at 10:24 PM Congratulations, Greg on your win. What a unique poetic depiction of the contents! Gregory Richard Barden December 25, 2017 at 10:29 PM Thank you so much, Subimal - I greatly appreciate your kindness, my friend!

Bernard Chan December 10, 2017 at 6:23 AM Hi Greg, your lines do justice to the subject and more. Klimt would approve. Poetic bliss! Gregory Richard Barden December 10, 2017 at 11:18 PM Oh, that's very kind of you to say, Bernard, and about the best comment I could get! Thank you so very much, my friend! Blessings! :-)

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 6, 2017 at 9:37 PM Greg your words mirror his brushstrokes, so well done my friend, my best to you xomo Gregory Richard Barden December 7, 2017 at 4:34 AM Thank you, Mo, I'm glad you liked this one ... blessings, kiddo! I hope all's well with you! <3

Judith S December 5, 2017 at 3:03 PM Wow Greg!! This is just amazing. You are a master at poetic language. Just loved this. Best of luck! Gregory Richard Barden December 6, 2017 at 2:10 AM You're very kind with your comments to me, Judy, and I greatly appreciate it - I'm so happy you enjoy my style! Blessings, Dear Friend! <3 :-)

Line Gauthier December 5, 2017 at 2:37 PM Beautiful, Gregory. GL Gregory Richard Barden December 6, 2017 at 2:09 AM Thank you muchly, Line - blessings! :-)

Lin Lane December 5, 2017 at 9:12 AM I knew you would choose something other than 'The Kiss.' The colors you've chosen to describe Klimt's works are exactly what I see when I look at his masterful art. This is an excellent write, Greg. Gregory Richard Barden December 6, 2017 at 2:09 AM That's so kind of you, Lin, thank you so much - I usually gravitate toward the lesser-known works of the masters, though I DO like "The Kiss" ... he's got such a wide variety of styles! Blessings, Friend! <3

Kim Rodrigues December 5, 2017 at 7:52 AM Oh, now your just showing off! I will be faving this lovely poem! It surely must become POTD, Greg!! Gregory Richard Barden December 6, 2017 at 2:07 AM Oh, that's very sweet of you, Kim, thank you very much ... that would be nice, but I think they're selected randomly, (though I really don't know). Blessings, my friend! :-) <3