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Life Line - Winslow Homer

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Oh hearken the struggle, life's gossamer threads, The delicate sway of hope ... Framed by churning white of Lord Neptune's might, Faith dangles a slender rope. Wan maiden, her savior, and a scarlet shawl, Battered by surf and gale ... Yet our faceless hero and his capable arms, As sure as the damsel, frail. Mostly monochromatic, all its tones of gray, Save for the kerchief, red ... While turbulent struggles around them rage on, We center that shawl instead. We see not the others who attend the line, But imagine them nonetheless ... The artist connects them with the lanyard, strong, And so intimates their distress. The distinctive edges and leaf-like waves Are peculiar to Winslow's style ... As are the rare stories his paintings tell, That enamor us, and beguile. While he traveled afar and painted it all, And was a celebrated roamer ... He loved my home state of Maine the best, And so truly was a HOMER. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Celebration of Art Poetry Contest", Kim Rodrigues, Judge & Sponsor.

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Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 5/26/2017 6:45:00 AM

i'm not usually a great fan of rhyme, but when it's written like this i totally appreciate and enjoy it - excellent poem, very deserving of its 1st place!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/26/2017 6:36:00 PM

Thank you so much, Charlotte - that's very kind of you to say! I write rhyme and free verse about 50/50, so I try to stay fresh on both fronts, although creativity often steers us in directions we aren't intending to go, lol. Thanks again - so pleased you enjoyed it! :-)

Agnes Krampe

Date: 5/26/2017 4:26:00 AM

You did a great job interpreting this dramatic painting, with fabulous attention to detail. Thanks for introducing me to an artist I did not previously know. Congrats on your win.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/26/2017 6:33:00 PM

Thank you so much, Agnes - this is not my favorite painting by Winslow, (one of the foremost artists of the 19th century), but I chose it for the dramatic story going on, which he did in many of his more well-known works. Please check out more of his work - he was an extraordinary and powerful artist! Thanks again! :-)

Roy Pett

Date: 5/26/2017 3:27:00 AM

Congratulations on your well deserved win Greg, amazing poem and an amazing picture you have certainly done it justice. :))

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/26/2017 6:29:00 PM

Very kind of you to say, Roy, thank you very much - very happy that you enjoyed it!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/25/2017 10:05:00 PM

I agree with Connie here. you paid great attention to detail and deserve your great win in this contest. My second favorite painting, by the way, besides the one of Attila at the Tomb, is similar to this one YOU have chosen to depict. I am sure you would know it. It's the one where a man is hanging onto his entire family to save them from being swept into the river below . I wish I could think of its name but it was at the Louvre where I saw the other painting you like so much of Attila.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 10:44:00 PM

Thank you SO much, Andrea, that's very sweet of you! I tried to get into the artist's style a bit and describe the painting as well ... this was a fun exercise/contest, and I enjoyed it very much! I can't seem to remember the one you're talking about, but if it's at the Louvre I've probably seen it ... do you know the artist?

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 10:44:00 PM

I'll do some digging and see if I can find it. Thanks again, my friend - blessings! :-)

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/25/2017 5:25:00 PM

Greg your outstanding attention to detail of this painting is truly masterful. Your poem deserves the top spot in this contest! Congratulations! Your poem as well as a work of art! 7+ : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:16:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Connie, those are such kind words and such sweet sentiments - I'm so very pleased that you liked my poem! Blessings to you and yours, and I hope you'll visit my poems again! :-)

Dean Wood

Date: 5/25/2017 4:49:00 PM

Wow! So well done Greg. A 7 from me. Congratulations!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:14:00 PM

Thank you so kindly, Dean, I very much appreciate that ... and I'm glad you enjoyed my poem! Blessings!

Ralph Sergi

Date: 5/25/2017 1:39:00 PM

Congratulations! A churning adventurous poem.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:13:00 PM

Thank you very much, Raplh - I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 5/25/2017 8:17:00 AM

Congratulations on your top of the class win! Well-deserved and a 7! Best regards. Pandita

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:12:00 PM

Thank you very much, Pandita - that's very sweet of you, and I'm glad you enjoyed my poem! :-)

Barry Stebbings

Date: 5/25/2017 5:54:00 AM

Congratulations on you win, Greg. Great rendering of this painting. // Barry

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:11:00 PM

Thanks so very much, Barry - so pleased that you enjoyed it!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/25/2017 12:00:00 AM

I loved the line: While turbulent struggles around them rage on, we center that shawl instead. A wonderful painting.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:10:00 PM

Thank you kindly, Kim, very nice of you to say so and place my little poem so highly! This was a lot of fun! Both my mom and sis are accomplished artists, (my mom taught at the college level), and I'm a bit of a "hack" who likes to draw, so this was a joyful exercise, indeed.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:10:00 PM

This is not my favorite painting by any means, but for some reason it popped into my head as a great subject for prose. Thanks again, my friend! :-)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/24/2017 11:50:00 PM

Congratulations on your win in my contest! Indeed, our PS art gallery is divine! I will return to comment on your individual poem. Blessings...Kim

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2017 9:06:00 PM

Thank you so much, Kim - I am honored that you found my poem worthwhile of placement! :-)

Joseph Soper

Date: 5/8/2017 2:41:00 AM

nicely done Greg, the mood of the verse captured the mood of the painting well. great contest entry piece..

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 5:58:00 PM

Much appreciated, Joseph - very kind words, and I'm happy you enjoyed it!

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 5/7/2017 12:54:00 PM

Aha! Awesome write Greg a 7 from me :) good luck in the contest! xomo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 5:56:00 PM

Thank you so much, Maureen! :-)

Darren White

Date: 5/7/2017 12:01:00 PM

That is a great poem, and such nice word play with his name. I love it how the musician in you always shines through. That painting is beautiful. The stanze with Mostly Monochromatic I love the best.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2017 5:56:00 PM

Thank you, Darren - this contest posed an interesting and imaginative exercise - it was fun, too!