Home » Poems » Gary Radice » Edward Hopper: Gas

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Poem published: 14th May 2022

Edward Hopper's "Gas" (Oil on canvas 1940)

Edward Hopper: Gas

where is the back road
that passes this place

- a gas station refuge
between nature and night

and who is the man
with the half hidden face

working / existing
in ethereal light?

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Gail Debole

March 13, 2023 at 5:44 AM

Love the simplicity and peacefulness of the painting and your questions that prompt the reader to realize that this and every piece of art has a background story. - Gail

Gary Radice

March 13, 2023 at 10:50 AM

Thank you Gail. I love the atmosphere Hopper evokes in his paintings. Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick

June 30, 2022 at 12:24 PM

Good work describing the painting. It looks like a lonely existence doesn't it. I wonder was it so for him. Thanks for dropping by. Sara

Sara Kendrick

July 15, 2022 at 7:13 AM

He probably was glad to have the job and maybe at times enjoy some peace and quiet. Sara

Gary Radice

July 1, 2022 at 12:32 PM

I imagine it was Sara but I bet that he liked it that way anyway. Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith

May 31, 2022 at 8:01 AM

Your words paint a picture to match the one by Edward Hopper. I wish you would write more. Have a great/blessed day writing away......................

Gary Radice

May 31, 2022 at 8:39 AM

Thanks so much Paula. I love Hopper's work. So much so that in addition to this and "House By The Railroad" there is a third Hopper poem I wrote "Nighthawks" (8th March 2022) here at PS. I appreciate your valued support. Cheers- Gary

Bryan Norton

May 22, 2022 at 7:04 AM

Hi Gary, Believe it or not, Hopper is my second favorite painter of all time. I love the desolation of his work. Your poem captures the imagery of the painting very well. Good job, and good luck. --Bryan

Gary Radice

May 22, 2022 at 11:56 AM

Hi Bryan. Thanks for your great comments. Hopper is a superb artist - probably my own favourite - I'd love to know who your favourite artist is. :) Cheers - Gary

John Watt

May 18, 2022 at 8:28 PM

Gary, congrats for completing your Hopper trilogy. Your poetic tone captures the artistic tone so well on all three. You are clearly an aficionado of fine art with the poetic mastery to pull off such an ambition. The contrasts are what strike me most about this work: loud red against subdued green; civilization against nature; bright against dark; man against machine, day against onset of night. And yet another isolated human subject. Your emphasis is stunning in capturing that essence in its brevity and unanswered questions. Well done, my friend. You are an asset to this site ~ John

Gary Radice

May 19, 2022 at 9:02 AM

John, thank you so much. I must say that your beautiful use of the English language when describing Hopper's work has blown me away. You are truly an art aficionado yourself. I'm blown away by your final remarks too. They make this hobby of mine feel all the more worthwhile. Cheers - Gary

Deb M

May 15, 2022 at 3:36 AM

Oh my Gary……your poems are often full of such intrigue and are so beautifully haunting. You have a gift of being able to pen the perfect words for a picture! I remember your bus stop in the middle of nowhere poem…..one of my favourite poems ever! The poem and picture stayed with me as it was so simple but so captivating! Just lovely….Debx

John Watt

May 18, 2022 at 8:29 PM

Gary, I'm happy to see you have re-posted the bus stop!

Deb M

May 15, 2022 at 9:21 AM

What a shame Gary that was an amazing poem! Debx

Gary Radice

May 15, 2022 at 8:27 AM

Thanks Deb. I play around with my poems - too much sometimes - I deleted the bus stop poem but it will make another appearance sometime in the future with a small amendment. Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins

May 14, 2022 at 10:02 AM

There is a sense of isolation here that is almost haunting. I love your interpretation so descriptive, Gary.

Gary Radice

May 15, 2022 at 12:51 AM

Thank you Milt. By all accounts Hopper wanted to paint a gas station with its lights on but found it difficult to find any as - during the Great Depression downturn (29 - 39) - many stations kept their lights switched off for financial reasons. Not too dissimilar to today I suspect Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham

May 14, 2022 at 4:46 AM

You captured the painting well in your verse Gary, the only thing missing is the tumbleweed. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Tom

Gary Radice

May 14, 2022 at 4:48 AM

Thanks Tom. You know, I reckon you could add tumbleweed to many of Hopper's works to signify the loneliness, remoteness and isolation of his subjects. Have a great weekend. Cheers - Gary

Edward Hopper: Gas

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