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The Sprigs and Spirit of Sistine -5

We are the Ignudi
unclothed, ebullient and energetic, 
we lean and lunge, twist and turn
impervious to the imposition of ignominious imposters,
we are an expression of immortal youth
the athletes and auditors of God's court
unbound by banality or bashfulness
we listen and leer at those who stare
looking for secrets in this sacred ceiling,
in our faces you'll see the feelings
of primal awareness unadulterated by apprehension...

J.A.B.

Copyright © Justin Bordner | Year Posted 2017

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Alesia Leach Date: 5/18/2025 1:23:00 PM Justin, this is a radiant burst of confidence and divine physicality--your Ignudi pulse with life, rebellion, and sacred purpose. “Athletes and auditors of God’s court” is such a striking line--majestic and defiant. You’ve captured the energy of Michelangelo’s forms while giving them voice, myth, and power. A hymn to youth eternal. Login to Reply Justin Bordner Date: 5/19/2025 2:16:00 PM Yes Poetess, they definitely have minds of their own. They're kinda like the guardians of the great gallery...J.A.B.

Laura Breidenthal Date: 9/19/2017 10:29:00 PM Perfect, Justin! I love this high-spirited description of the art. "we listen and leer at those who stare looking for secrets in this sacred ceiling" I love that! You bring art and history to life in your fervent, perceptive and unique way. Always, Laura Login to Reply Justin Bordner Date: 9/21/2017 6:46:00 PM The Ignudi, or the nudes that Michelangelo's genius created are all masterpiece portraits in and of themselves, and there are 20 on the ceiling. Art Historians believe that the ancient Belverdere Torso, a magnificent husk of a man's body missing it's head, legs, and arms, was Michelangelo's inspiration for all of them. The Ignudi are enigmatic in personality, as well as in form, many, contorting in ways that are nearly impossible yet they are anatomically precise. I considered composing verses and stanzas for each one, but decided to express their collective psyche instead Laura...J.A.B.