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Land of Lost Shadows: A Tribute To L S Lowry

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Published: 27th January 2022

Image: A print of "Coming Home From The Mill" (1928) by L.S. Lowry

Poetry Soup's POEM OF THE DAY (28th January 2022)

L.S. Lowry (1887 - 1976) was an English artist made famous for his paintings of industrial scenes in Northern England that depict the bleakness and loneliness of urban life. His paintings were often inhabited by his stylised 'matchstick' figures.

land of lost shadows and unweathered skies five urban colours through unflinching eyes tall distant chimneys and schoolyards at play smoke drifting sideways in stillness each day sketches on packets of stained cigarettes strange brooding faces and marionettes people bent walking with heads looking down - if lowry was living he'd have painted my town.

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Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/4/2023 10:34:00 AM

Wonderful! I felt immersed immediately - I'm a Mancunian (sorry!) Who went to Salford University, so I'm familiar with Lowry. I was going to try and attempt an ekphrasis but the words didn't come. I love what you've written, totally sets the mood and draws in every element in a way that takes you into the image! Brilliant!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/4/2023 12:26:00 PM

If I'm honest, this is one of those poems that took me an age to write so that I was happy with it. I heard some of his works that looked like marionettes were a bit 'sinister' if what I read on the net is true..and it isn't always.. We've been to The Lowry a few times and always enjoyed our visit. Cheers - Gary

Tony Hargreaves

Date: 3/15/2022 12:51:00 PM

Hi Gary. Enjoyed this poem. Many thanks. I think I recognise some features in Lowry's painting. Industrial landscapes: I remember the images well and the sights and the smell. All the best. Tony

Gary Radice
Date: 3/16/2022 2:36:00 AM

Thanks for your visit Tony and for your comments. I appreciate it all. I think industrial landscapes have a beauty all of their own. For me, Lowry's paintings are able to capture that certain beauty. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

David Holmes

Date: 2/28/2022 12:41:00 PM

Gary - this is really wonderful, you have beautifully captured the essence of the painting, the last three stanza's really pulls it all together - really liked this poem and Congratulations on your 1st place win and Poem of the Day! David

Gary Radice
Date: 3/1/2022 12:35:00 AM

Thank you David! I wrote this after walking around my local town and comparing what I saw that day with Lowry's work. Cheers - Gary

Bryan Norton

Date: 2/24/2022 9:30:00 AM

Hi Gary, I like this a lot. As you describe the theme of the poem, I am reminded of Edward Hopper, perhaps my favorite 20th-century painter, who often painted scenes of loneliness and desolation. Anyway, good job with your poem. My own poems are strictly impersonal.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/24/2022 2:22:00 PM

Hi Bryan. I love Hopper's work. His colours helped portray a stillness and melancholy in his paintings of 'daily life scenes'. They ooze atmosphere in a similar way I think Lowry's do albeit styles are different. Thanks for your visit. Cheers - Gary.

Bryan Norton
Date: 2/24/2022 9:44:00 AM

Andrew John

Date: 2/21/2022 1:34:00 AM

Love the L S Lowry ref. Many thanks, Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/21/2022 2:25:00 AM

My pleasure Andrew. Thank you for reading and commenting. Cheers - Gary

Thea Matthews

Date: 2/18/2022 5:28:00 PM

i really love this

Gary Radice
Date: 2/18/2022 11:44:00 PM

That's very pleasing to hear. Thank you Thea and I'm really looing forward to reading your poetry once up at Poetry Soup. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 2/15/2022 5:20:00 AM

An eloquent word description of Lowry’s evocative atmospheric scenes conveying a world now gone. The painting you chose is particularly poignant. Very moving, Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/15/2022 5:51:00 AM

Thanks Geoffrey for your wonderful words. I find a certain beauty in Lowry's work and feel a certain sense of (misplaced?) romanticism for those lost times. It all just resonates with me. Cheers - Gary

John Watt

Date: 1/31/2022 4:25:00 PM

Gary, your words so aptly portray the bleakness of the painting and the painting so poignantly portrays the rat race feeling of industrial, de-humanizing civilization. Your words were carefully chosen for a smooth flow and for casting an ominous, brooding sense. Very well done, a fave for me, and my hearty congratulations for your POTD honor ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 2/1/2022 1:19:00 AM

Thank you so much John. I remember seeing one of his paintings many moons ago and not being impressed at all. Forward many years and a trip to The Lowry gallery had me re-evaluating his work. Cheers and read you soon - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 1/31/2022 9:27:00 AM

Wonderful poem, Gary. Your first two lines really got me--so sad. It seems also a tribute to those who trudge on to industry's call--same job, same town, same life...I'm going to look at his paintings, if they're online. Congratulations on your win :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/31/2022 11:49:00 AM

Thank you Ann. Lowry, to me, captured the very essence of what you describe; the every day drudge, the lack of colour..It's exactly what I love about his work. Cheers - Gary

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/30/2022 6:47:00 PM

Your fantastic Ekphrasis exemplifies Lowry’s art through a poet’s eyes in exquisite fashion Gary. I really love this. I am Faving it. Congratulations on your well deserved POTD honor. Blessings xxoo

Gary Radice
Date: 1/31/2022 11:46:00 AM

Connie, thank you so much for your continued support and of course the fave. I truly appreciate your valued input. Cheers - Gary

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 1/28/2022 10:22:00 PM

Congrats Gary! Great poem.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 10:26:00 PM

Thanks Jennifer. It took a bit of tweaking but I finally got there. Cheers - Gary

Brandy Nicole

Date: 1/28/2022 8:13:00 PM

*if lowry was living* He would say that you have created a Masterpiece. This is so beautiful and tender. Congratulations Gary, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. :) Hugs, Brandy

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 10:16:00 PM

Thanks so much Brandy for such high praise. My very best to you too. Cheers - Gary

John Lawless

Date: 1/28/2022 5:30:00 PM

A wonderfully visual that would rival the painting..."strange brooding faces and marionettes"... just brilliant writing...

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 10:14:00 PM

Thanks John. Much appreciated. Lowry painted brooding portraits and drew strange marionette figures; the latter, I believe, were only discovered at his home after his death. I have to add that some people we saw on our walk also fitted that description :) Cheers - Gary

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 1/28/2022 1:07:00 PM

Street crowds are always fascinating. Congrats Gary on a beautiful poem. SuZ

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 1:23:00 PM

Thanks Suz! Agreed - they are. Lowry painted many during his lifetime. Cheers - Gary

Constance La France

Date: 1/28/2022 12:57:00 PM

Gary, your poem is absolutely beautiful and so impressive and congratulations on your deserving POEM OF THE DAY honor ~

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 1:14:00 PM

Thank you Constance. I find a certain beauty in bleakness and I'm not sure what that says about me. :) Cheers - Gary

Gnikreklaw Walkerking

Date: 1/28/2022 11:50:00 AM

Congrats Gary on POTD! I absolutely adore this poem.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 12:17:00 PM

Thank you - that's great to hear. ..and I've just realised your 'first name' is your surname backwards! :) I truly appreciate your visit. Cheers - Gary

Cathy Strackbein

Date: 1/28/2022 11:27:00 AM

Your poem reminds me of the abandoned steel mills of Pennsylvania. Congrats on POTD!!

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 11:39:00 AM

Hi Cathy. Thank you for your visit. It's great to hear that my poem reminds you of the Pennsylvania steel mills. Many of Lowry's industrial paintings depicted Pendlebury in the city of Salford near Manchester England where he lived. Cheers - Gary

Warren Doll

Date: 1/28/2022 10:51:00 AM

Gary, Congratulations on POTD. Well written! Best~ Warren

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 11:14:00 AM

Thank you Warren for your great comments. I really appreciate them Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins

Date: 1/28/2022 9:42:00 AM

Back to say Congratulations, Gary. You certainly did deserve P.O.T.D. for this fine poem!

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 11:12:00 AM

Hi Milt and thanks again for your continued support. Cheers - Gary

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 1/28/2022 8:40:00 AM

Congratulations on your well deserved POTD! You have created a artful masterpiece that should be hanging on a wall, side by side with Lowry's works. I love this!!!! Paulette

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 11:08:00 AM

Hi Paulette. Wow! What great comments. Thank you! Cheers - Gary

Debra L Brown

Date: 1/28/2022 8:38:00 AM

Congrats on POTD, Gary I enjoyed the poem. You painted the picture like an artist. Blessings ~ Debra

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 11:04:00 AM

Thank you Debra. I'm really glad you liked it. I truly appreciate your comments. Cheers - Gary

Eve Roper

Date: 1/28/2022 8:33:00 AM

Congratulations on POTD, Gary, great imagery and flow in your verse.

Eve Roper
Date: 1/28/2022 7:05:00 PM

Thank you :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 11:01:00 AM

Thank you Eve and I believe congratulations to you too: Happy Belated Birthday! :) Cheers - Gary x

Bill Baker

Date: 1/28/2022 8:27:00 AM

Congratulations for the honor POTD, Gary Excellent rhyming and imagery. I could easily picture the town painted. Thank you for sharing your poetry with us. I'm your newest follower. Bill

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 10:57:00 AM

Hi Bill. Thank you for your visit, read, comments and following :) I'll be setting time aside to catch up on my viewing of others poems so will certainly read you soon. Look forward to it. Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 1/28/2022 7:40:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD win. L. S. Lowry paintings are with paints. Your paintings are with words. "Beautiful" Have a blessed day writing/painting with words away...................

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 8:00:00 AM

Thank you Paula. I love the idea of painting with words. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf

Date: 1/28/2022 6:47:00 AM

Seems to me that you've painted this 'as good as a poet can!' Congrats on potd, Gary. ~ Stiff Upper Lip and all

Gary Radice
Date: 1/28/2022 7:15:00 AM

Thank you Gershon! Two years in and I'm still not clear how a poem becomes POTD but..Hey.. mustn't grumble..onwards and upwards.. :) Cheers - Gary