John Watt Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

That Starry Night

Like no one before, nor since
 you painted that starry night in oils
  superimposing your life story.

I feel I know this idyllic village
 blanketed by tranquil rolling hills
  embraced by calming olive trees
   their very branches a symbol of peace
    the steadfast church steeple
     a sacred echo of the stalwart cypress.

But never have I witnessed
 hills so inflamed - burning to tell the world their history
  a moon so agitated - suffering from an incurable insanity
   the night sky so frenzied - seeking answers to life's suffering
    such undulating indigo eddies of despondency and confusion
     or stars radiating with such feverish beauty - concentric circles of passion.

That starry night
 you painted stars that, like you, are light years away from anyone else
  looking on the serene village scene from an insurmountable distance
   for you saw things, Vincent,
    like no one before, nor since.


[free verse ekphrasis of the painting "The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh]

Written 5 Jul 2020

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Sam Kauffman February 6, 2023 at 9:52 AM Oh, dear friend! Once again this wonderful, compassionate marvel has found its way to the top of the winners list R&R bro! Congratulations! I am so happy to see it again, read it again and be amazed, once again, at its beauty! Out of the park, into the parking lot!! Less than a month until we get to experience training camp! Blessings of peaceful, starry nights to you!

Susan Ashley February 4, 2023 at 7:21 PM Dearest PoBro, the beauty of your empathy, for the pain and anguish experienced by Vincent Van Gogh, shines as brightly as his Starry Night. Your gifted pen and dreamy imagery beautifully captures the artistic spirit and flawed nuances of the man behind the masterpiece. I especially loved "hills so inflamed - burning to tell the world their history" and "undulating indigo eddies of despondency and confusion" though every verse is affecting and contributes to stanzas filled with metaphorical gems. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark's contest. It's indeed a great pleasure to share the podium with you, my inspiring friend. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~your PS-PS <3

Andrea Dietrich January 30, 2023 at 6:46 AM Hurrah, and a big congratulations. You chose very well, John!!

Lin Lane January 29, 2023 at 10:14 AM John, I'm never surprised to find some wonderful creation of yours on a winning list, no matter who sponsored the contest. I must've not been frequenting the soup when you posted this one, but I'm glad I'm reading it now. Congratulations on capturing the nature of this artist's work in the beautiful colors you use to fill your ink well.

Mark Toney January 28, 2023 at 3:21 PM John, this is an excellent subject for an Ekphrasis poem. The graphic and YouTube embed is brilliant, which I didn't see until the contest was finalized. Your skillful word choice nicely highlights the details and energy of the image. A Fav Poem for me. Congratulations on your win on Mile 25. There is only one more Poetry Marathon mile to run before the Qualifier's Final Placement Contest! More information about the Qualifier's Final Placement Contest will be given at the Mile 26 checkpoint. John Watt January 30, 2023 at 4:26 PM Thank you, Mark. I'm honored by the fave and the placement. I have really enjoyed being a part of this marathon and have loved reading all the amazing poetry that has been spotlighted as a result. See you at the finish line!

Andrea Dietrich January 7, 2023 at 9:38 PM This is like my fourth time over here at this one. I too loved that song Starry Starry Night and how it described vincent. I would sure love to see this one with a win, John. Let me go see the last one you intend to enter. John Watt January 30, 2023 at 4:24 PM Thanks for all the visits and support, my friend!

Michael Tor September 6, 2022 at 3:05 AM Had to come back John and re read this iconic write. Be blessed my friend... John Watt September 6, 2022 at 10:35 AM Thank you for the return visit, Michael, and for all of your supportive comments and replies. I hope you had a nice Labor Day and that your remodeling project is going along well. God be with you ~ John

Malabika Ray Choudhury May 20, 2022 at 6:40 AM Dear John, I wanted to write more about your poem..unfortunately, the site is not letting me. Thank you for your kind comment - you are not only one of the best poets, you are the best friend. Warm wishes ~ Mala John Watt July 22, 2022 at 11:14 AM What an endearing note you have left for me to read, thank you ever so much ~ John

Malabika Ray Choudhury May 20, 2022 at 6:38 AM Dear John, read your classic poem again - it made me ponder about the painting in so many levels. "hills so inflamed - burning to tell the world their history a moon so agitated", "the night sky so frenzied" - these lines interpret Van Gogh's mind perfectly - probably the way he looked at the sky and the surrounding from his asylum window. Thank you, John, for visiting my page, and leaving such an inspiring comment. feel humbled. A fave for me. Blessings ~ John Watt July 22, 2022 at 11:14 AM Belated thank you dear Mala, for your deep read of this poem and the endearing comment you have left for me. You are so kind to share this love of art with me, and I am humbled by your fave. Blessings ~ John

Line Gauthier January 13, 2021 at 8:38 AM Wow John, this poem is awesome and very fitting that it should be among the first to lead the parade of PS poetry in the 2020 PS Anthology. It's a FAVE for me. John Watt July 22, 2022 at 11:11 AM Thank you Line for the extremely kind comment and Fave. You are so kind ~ John

Sam Kauffman January 10, 2021 at 5:02 PM This is a classic John! Loved it the first time I read it and have loved it every time since! I love your conversation with Vincent - the intimate sharing of your heart and soul as you explore the torment of Van Gogh. So beautifully painted in words and images! Congratulations! Epiphanny blessings of light dear friend! Sam Kauffman January 11, 2021 at 2:16 PM Ditto dear friend! John Watt January 10, 2021 at 10:47 PM An amazing comment, Sam. You always know just what to say. Thank you, dear friend

Andrea Dietrich January 8, 2021 at 5:39 PM back AGAIN. So well deserved, John. Congratulations. John Watt January 10, 2021 at 10:45 PM You've left me four comments at this poem, I think that must be a record for me ~ thank you!

John Hamilton January 8, 2021 at 11:56 AM Congrats John on another nice win! John Watt January 8, 2021 at 1:29 PM Thanks for another great 2020 retrospective contest, John, and for the generous placement ~ John

Andrea Dietrich November 6, 2020 at 7:36 PM Was it best poem up until it topped the charts as well? Just curious. It is still a wowowow. John Watt November 6, 2020 at 9:52 PM Thank you for the sweet affirmation, Andrea!

Andrea Dietrich November 6, 2020 at 7:34 PM aha, it's your chart topper poem here in this spot!! John Watt November 6, 2020 at 9:52 PM I don't know what you mean by a chart topper?

Franci Hoffman October 31, 2020 at 11:58 AM An amazing and beautifully written piece, John! You interpreted the painting perfectly. John Watt November 1, 2020 at 12:54 AM Thank you for your very kind words, Franci! I'm so glad you enjoyed this ~ John

Anitha Jayasankar October 30, 2020 at 7:28 AM Wow this is awesome! Very descriptive of the idyllic village and great interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh's painting... Last stanza absolutely brilliant... Best regards John :) ~ Ani John Watt October 30, 2020 at 5:51 PM Thank you for your generous assessment, Ani. You are very kind to leave me this comment. Thank you, and enjoy your day ~ John

Anisha Dutta October 29, 2020 at 9:35 PM So nicely composed about glorious gorgeous painting of Vincet Van Gogh. Great Poem. John Watt October 29, 2020 at 10:54 PM Thank you so very much, Anisha! Blessings ~ John

Beryl Edmonds October 29, 2020 at 5:43 PM A marvellous ekphrasis John, a perfect picture painted in words of "The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh... Belle John Watt October 29, 2020 at 10:53 PM Well, well, thank you Belle. I'm flattered by your appreciation, and very grateful. ~ John

Linda Alice Fowler October 29, 2020 at 5:40 PM I adore this John. The painting so poetically well-described and "...light years away from anyone else..." A fav for sure! Linda John Watt October 29, 2020 at 10:52 PM You are very kind to add this to your list of faves, Linda. Thank you sincerely ~ John

Laura Leiser September 14, 2020 at 2:55 PM I revisited this awesome poem again, John, and am surprised I did not comment before. You are spot on in your incredible and insightful interpretation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night masterpiece! Such a beautifully worded poem and a fave!! :) John Watt September 14, 2020 at 3:45 PM Thank you, my friend. Glad you liked it, I so appreciate the kind words and the fave! You are always so supportive. It's very nice to see you back at Soup.

Yolanda Wessels August 15, 2020 at 3:12 PM Beautiful. Beautiful song. Beautifully written. John Watt August 15, 2020 at 3:59 PM Thank you, my new friend. It is nice to meet you here at Poetry Soup ~ John

Quoth Theraven August 15, 2020 at 1:58 PM John, Vincent truly had a unique vision. Love the painter's passion, love the artist's song, love the poet's poem, of a life that turned out ..... -Richard John Watt August 15, 2020 at 2:03 PM Thank you, Richard. We look at his life as a tragedy, but I believe his fame has endured because of his talent and his vision. I appreciate your kind commentary. ~ John

Asmi Sharma August 13, 2020 at 7:55 PM Your vision of the painting is awesome. Congratulations for being at the top. This poem literally made my day. John Watt August 13, 2020 at 8:46 PM Well, you are very kind to say so, Asmi. It's nice to meet you!

Andrea Dietrich August 9, 2020 at 3:13 PM hey. wowowow. you topped the best poems chart. I am below middle of it with a poem I NEVER expected would be on it! Congrats , good friend. (have you used this in one of Brian's contests yet?) John Watt August 12, 2020 at 7:48 AM Yes, this was entered in one of Brian's earlier contests. Thanks for the wowowow!

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