The Painted Picture

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Sandra Haight.

Painting: 'Beating The Showers Home' Artist: Charlotte Joan Steinberg

I sit upon the well-worn vinyl couch
and apprehensively await my turn
to see the doctor.  Others, deep in thought, 
glance up a moment, then resume their worlds.

I scan the room, a mixture of decor-
odd tables, lamps. But now my eyes are fixed
upon the papered wall, a strange design
of rambling shapes. Amid this chaos hangs
a painting filled with imagery of life.

I fall into this peaceful, quiet scene
as graceful birds with arched wings fly above.
Neath blue-gray skies, there winding down a hill,
a brook meanders to the lovely lake,
as nestled buildings on the velvet grass
are hugged by two dirt roads. And there, my love 
with horse and wagon, riding to the house-
our home, surrounded by the blossomed trees.
Content within, I happily await-

inside this painting, work of art, of life-
secured within a well-framed boundary,
suspended on a nail upon a wall;
a sense-filled concept, so confined, compact,
divided from the abstractness beyond
its stable, gilded frame of burnished gold.

I hear my name now called, and it's my turn
to see the doctor- and my mind now leaps
outside the gilded frame- into a world
unlike the painted picture on the wall.


May 6, 2016

Premiere Contest: Imagist Any Form
Sponsor: Brian Strand

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.