Notes About The Poem

Premiere Contest WinnerPortrait

Paint me blue like the sky
rainbow's smile; thunder's cry
clouded curtains rife with rain
till shroud is lanced and bluebirds fly again
     Wistful moods in mahogany frames
     melancholy painters with undiscovered names
     rearrange reveries in pastel hues
     decorating lonely walls with brooding blues

Paint me emerald like the sea
feeling caged; rolling free
stormy rage; morning calm
who knows where swelling waves come from?
     Which shades best record a personality?
     Which side of the coin is preserved for history?
     Shall I smile or appear dignified? 
     Do I show my true self, or try to hide?

Paint me tawny like a lark
as the sky dissolves to dark
flying free but not for long
a gloomy gloaming swallows up its song
     What do you see as I hold this pose?
     Will you reveal or conceal my imperfect nose?
     Will you paint scars and wrinkles or leave no trace?
     Will your biography in oils show lines on my face?

Paint me crystalline like a wine glass 
for you somehow see right through
the paintbrush captures the epidermis
but the painter overlays the spirit
     Superimposing your style, passions, heartbreaks, joie de vivre
     onto my facets, form, features, and flaws
     with love, you labor on
     transforming my brief life into a lasting work of art

Paint me gold like a sunrise
as it marks the dark's demise
background wash of faith, hope, love;
the colors life's palette is made of.
     When bones are one with graveyard soils
     these memories preserved in oils
     are saved for those who later come
     that they may know where they've come from


written 1 Sep 2022
...with gratitude for all the inspired artists who 
carry forward the grand tradition of portraiture.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Situation Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 10:33 AM
I look for artist such as you. But find myself being bored to death. I could say much of this piece but I'll only say genious of the best kind. Looking at more.
Lawrence Avatar
August 7, 2023 at 4:50 AM
Oh yes - a fav !
Lawrence Avatar
August 7, 2023 at 4:44 AM
John , this gem is truly a gift ! So many poignant and sometimes humorous passages bring a smile to my face. You innately understand what lies beneath ! This is remarkable and conveys a symbiotic relationship with the artist ! I love the way you think . Your perspective is from the inside out which is deep and appreciative of the nuances of what it means to create as well as what it means to be immortalized for all to see . Belated congratulations on your win ! Hugs and blessings, Susan :)
Watt Avatar
December 8, 2023 at 3:05 PM
Susan, my apologies for being so slow in responding. You were so kind to read this one at my request, but your beautiful portraiture was in the back of my mind as I wrote and submitted this, so I wanted very much for you to know the ripple effects of your artistic vision and talents. I agree with your statement that the best portraits convey a measure of the relationship between artist and sitter. Thank you for the fav and the deeply satisfying comment. Hugs ~ John
Edmonds  Avatar
November 2, 2022 at 7:56 AM
A wonderful write John, congratulations on the trophy award and topping the list of new poems…. Belle
Ray Choudhury Avatar
October 27, 2022 at 3:28 PM
So beautiful, John! Each and every line is poignant, lyrical, flowing, and in a word, magnificent! I don't know which stanza to mention - all of them are elegant, and full of depth. Congratulations on the trophy - you definitely deserve this honour. This gem to my Faves! Warm wishes ~ Mala
Faulkner Avatar
October 21, 2022 at 12:06 PM
I enjoyed re reading this, John, like all great poetry there is something new to be found each time, and also congratulations on being at the top of the Best New Poems list!
Leiser Avatar
September 24, 2022 at 3:36 PM
Fantastic poetry, John! Congrats on your trophy win! Well deserved, friend! :)
Watt Avatar
December 8, 2023 at 3:07 PM
Laura, I am belatedly getting around to responding to some very old comments... apologies! Thank you for the fave and the enduring poetry friendship. God bless ~ John
Leiser Avatar
September 24, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Ps- Another Fave!
Fowler Avatar
September 17, 2022 at 10:26 AM
Oh so gorgeous a canvas John. Your colors are vibrantly shining! Linda
Watt Avatar
September 17, 2022 at 8:43 PM
What a sweet thing to say Linda. Thank you, and I hope you are enjoying your weekend ~ John
Romios Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 10:58 PM
Congratulations, John Of course, this is a Fav! You are one of the best here. No kidding. I somehow sense you know this.)) Mews..Eddie made the Sophomore Baseball team! Happy Grandmother, Pangie
Romios Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 11:54 PM
Yo, John! I don’t deserve your accolades! I think of myself as one of the worst poets here.))) I will pass your comment to Eddie. Heis taking Honors Chemistry. OMG..I was so dense in inorganic chemistry.but..a whiz at Organic chemistry and also Pharmacology in Nursing School. Before I became a teacher..Pangie xx
Watt Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 11:07 PM
A fav from you is such a delight and a gift, my friend! For you to think I am one of the best is a greater award than any contest, potd, or list can offer. So happy you liked this and pleased as punch to come by tonight and see your lovely comment. Congrats to Eddie! Swing for the fences, young man, hope you go far! Hugs ~ John
Mccann Avatar
September 14, 2022 at 5:29 PM
My first encounter with your work, John. Your amazing skill coupled with such sensitivity have created an unforgettable work of art. Whenever I see another portrait, your dialogue will be there, too. Elizabeth
Watt Avatar
September 14, 2022 at 10:56 PM
Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to meet you here at poetry soup. I thank you for making your way to my site and blessing me with the kindness of a read and thoughtful comment. I hope to visit you soon, my friend ~ John
Tor Avatar
September 12, 2022 at 4:50 AM
John coming back to congratulate you my friend. Exceptional and magnificent!
Watt Avatar
September 14, 2022 at 10:55 PM
Thank you for all the visits and kind words this week, my friend. Your support and encouragement are felt deeply and are greatly appreciated ~ John
Kamoonpuri Avatar
September 11, 2022 at 11:17 PM
Wow to get painted in all the colours of nature, or the blues, this is a fab winning muse painted fabulously in words no wonder it got the mega site trophy wow! Kudos!
Watt Avatar
September 12, 2022 at 12:07 AM
Thank you S, your words are so kind ~ John
Proxenos Avatar
September 10, 2022 at 9:34 AM
You have presented your readers with a masterpiece, superbly written and executed by a very talented gentleman, John Watt. This is such a creative write and although all your poems are exquisite, this one goes beyond. 'paint me tawny like a lark, as the sky dissolves to dark,' love these two lines! Congratulations by the score and more for this intensely deserved trophy win hugs and blessings dear friend, Jennifer
Watt Avatar
September 12, 2022 at 12:06 AM
A hug for every kind and generous word you gift me with... you have lifted my spirits so many times dear friend. Thank you always for the blessings ~ John
Faulkner Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 10:51 PM
Congratulations on your well earned trophy win, John, this is simply stunning, I am hard pressed to single out one or two lines but 'decorating lonely walls with mellow blues' speaks to my sad yearning side, as well as the lark/dissolves to dark lines, just breath taking! Am all out of praise now, will just have to fave it!
Watt Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 11:44 PM
My artistry sibling, you always bring a smile with your uplifting support and naming special lines! We finally are having our first major heatwave and it's a doozy. Enjoy your Friday and weekend. Thanks for the fave!
Dietrich Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 3:54 PM
splendid poetry from you, John. Wow, you got a win with Brian. It's very well deserved. That's all I've got to say!! This reminded me of Van Gogh.
Watt Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 4:28 PM
Thank you for dropping by with encouragement, Andrea. I know you've been really busy recently.
John Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 3:26 AM
Beautifully penned, JW. Thanks.
Watt Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 4:29 PM
Thank you, Andrew.
Brul Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 12:22 PM
You have painted a masterpiece with your amazing pen. A splendid work of art in its sublimest expression. Congratulations o your TrOPHY win! A fave for me to read in years and years to come.
Watt Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 8:25 PM
Thank you, my friend! You write so beautifully of art and artists, I am honored to receive such a glowing comment, congrats, and fave. Blessings ~ John
Mcintosh Avatar
September 4, 2022 at 9:18 AM
Just amazing. I love it! So glad this won Number One position in Brian's contest. Awesome words. Poetry to sing of. God bless you. Love, Gina (oh, and congrats!)
Watt Avatar
September 4, 2022 at 4:29 PM
Gina, such a joy and blessing to know you have read and enjoyed this one. God bless you, and thank you very much for your kind words ~ John
Tor Avatar
September 4, 2022 at 7:33 AM
A legacy in Art you have expressed so well John. Lovely Poetry here my friend. A pleasure to read and visualize. Have a wonderful Holiday and blessings to you and all you love... A favorite...
Tor Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 3:07 AM
You are very welcome John, and thank you again for your kindness...
Watt Avatar
September 4, 2022 at 4:29 PM
Thank you very much Michael. I love finding other art lovers on this site, and am so proud of your recent POTD in tribute to your father and Claude Monet, a favorite of mine. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement more than I can say. Keep inspiring, my friend ~ John
Radice Avatar
September 4, 2022 at 2:59 AM
Just beautiful brush strokes from your pen John that reach far deeper into the pallet than any painting by numbers ever could. I'm standing back in awe and silence to admire this one and nodding my head as I do.
Watt Avatar
September 4, 2022 at 4:26 PM
A silent nod from Gary Radice is equivalent to a Pulitzer Prize, and as I'm still awaiting one of those (*wink, wink*) I will cherish this all the more. Thank you, dear friend, for your relentless encouragement and support. Just to know you are reading and enjoying is a great blessing to me. Cheers ~ John
Baker Avatar
September 3, 2022 at 4:14 PM
A lovely self portrait for those after you to see. Colors and thoughts blended into the descriptions for others to see a fuller example of you and who you were. Thanks for sharing this eloquent poem with us, John. I enjoyed your thoughts as presented through your poetry. Have a great weekend! Bill
Watt Avatar
September 3, 2022 at 4:27 PM
Bill, thank you for reading and leaving me with such a thoughtful and lovely comment. Hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend ~ John
Vaso Avatar
September 1, 2022 at 7:37 PM
Beautiful poem, I actually just took up painting, so far the verdict is I shouldn't have LOL
Watt Avatar
September 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Arthur, as long as you are enjoying it, keep at it and you'll keep improving. Thanks for the visit ~ John
Bauer Avatar
September 1, 2022 at 1:29 PM
beautiful imagery in this poem, john! i love the idea of all that's hidden behind a portrait as well...
Watt Avatar
September 2, 2022 at 11:01 AM
thank you for the lovely comment, ilene... enjoy your labor day weekend!
Lawless Avatar
September 1, 2022 at 5:47 AM
tis said "a pictures worth a thousand words". I believe this poem challenges that adage. We are who we are....warts and all. Nicely written John.
Watt Avatar
September 2, 2022 at 11:03 AM
Exactly... many artists grapple with idealizing their subjects, but end up painting what the sitter asks (and pays) for. Thank you for the thoughtful comment, John. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend ~ John
Gondolf Avatar
September 1, 2022 at 4:31 AM
A nicely penned poignant piece, John. It's hard to capture all sides of a person in a single portrait, that's why I chose poetry to save for those who later come. Cheers, John
Watt Avatar
September 2, 2022 at 11:05 AM
I'm with you, John. Poetry is the legacy we have chosen to leave behind. Easy choice for me, as I have zero skill at painting! Enjoy your Labor Day weekend ~ John
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