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Two Chained Monkeys

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Inspired by Two Chained Monkeys painted in oil on oak board by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1562. Viewing the painting will make sense of the poem Delirious are we both From concentrating on the now The when of the next morsel To the fixation on the past The then of freedom to roam From a monkeys brain I cannot know If a beautiful vista holds Any kind of comfort It is somewhat doubtful There is no comfort In the pairing Two attached to chains No help to ourselves Or each other The outside is wrong It is not my home I would not flourish Escape is not An option The journey Valuable in the sense I was glad of it's end When I move on from here I may value this ledge Life is not this moment Nor the past or the future It is now the endurance If this even Articulates a feeling Should I thrive or Deteriorate It will perpetuate my pain For I am changed As well as chained A Brian Strand Premiere No 1198 Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Brian Strand

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Susan Ashley

Date: 9/19/2023 5:24:00 PM

Dear Dilly, hopeless and helpless emotions are expressed soulfully and creatively in response to the painting Two Chained Monkeys. Your introspective pen is profound and the last stanza is so poignant, especially your last two lines for a grand finale to a deep-reaching, potent poem that touches the soul. Each and every read deepens the experience of this verse. A fav! Congratulations for your excellent win in Robert's contest. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/19/2023 10:37:00 PM

Thank you Susan for taking the time to share your experience of the poem. I'd been writing poetry about 3 months when I wrote this one and I was so pleased with what I found within the painting - it feels impossible not to feel the unfixable pain of the monkeys despite the fact they lived their lives so many hundreds of years ago. Observation can be so powerful but sometimes so pointless as then and now plights can be observed but it can still be impossible to do anything at all as even intervention can no longer make a difference. Thank you again for your kind words, always appreciated x

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 9/19/2023 7:16:00 AM

Interesting perspective. I like it very much! "changed" and "chained" is brilliant. Congratulations! :)

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/19/2023 7:41:00 AM

Thank you Linda, it was intriguing to put thought into and it felt so correct (rather than anthropomorphising) to take meaning from the way they hunch and stare. They look so beaten :'( thank you for your comment x

Speaks Volumes

Date: 9/19/2023 6:42:00 AM

You have actually gone inside that painting from the outside. Its an interesting painting and you just made it more interesting. Well done.

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/19/2023 6:49:00 AM

Thanks SV - I remember being really happy with it when I first wrote it but it felt a fit clunky when I reread it - I do like all the emotion that came from it though and the actual insight that sometimes things can't be put right because things have fundamentally changed in the process.

Valsa George

Date: 4/22/2023 4:34:00 AM

This is such a fantastic poem. To be in chains is the worst thing for all, be it humans or beasts. "I am changed, as well as chained"... Great conclusion. "There is no comfort In the pairing/ Two attached to chains/ No help to ourselves Or each other. How true and what heartrending lament. Simply great.

Di11y Da11y
Date: 4/22/2023 4:58:00 AM

Taking away the chains doesn't remove what has happened. I'm sure it's a good metaphor for many things human and animal experience where nothing can be the same or changing the future doesn't change the past. It's seems funny such an old painting has within it such a compelling wisdom. Thank you for your kind comment.

Ann Peck

Date: 3/17/2023 2:27:00 PM

"the then of freedom to roam..." Your poem depicts a tragedy, small, but lifesize to the monkey. How sad our world is to chain the wild. Congratulations on your win!

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/17/2023 2:31:00 PM

Times have somewhat changed, but there are always chains in one way or another. Thank you for your kind words

Christuraj Alex

Date: 3/16/2023 12:17:00 AM

"The when of the next morsel To the fixation on the past The then of freedom to roam" - Beautifully written. Congratulations!

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/16/2023 4:23:00 AM

Thank you, very grateful that I discovered ekphrasis via Brian's contests. I never knew how connected to art I could potentially be. Glad you liked it and thank you for your kind words

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 3/15/2023 5:15:00 PM

Nicely done! I enjoyed this one. Congratulations on your win! :)

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/15/2023 11:49:00 PM

Thank you Linda:)

Sam Kauffman

Date: 3/15/2023 10:33:00 AM

Deliriously delightful images DD. I really love your ekphrasis poems. The more we can do to highlight the masters of the art and music world, the more our understanding of life expands. Wonderfully done. Congratulations on your win. Blessings.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/15/2023 8:41:00 PM

I too enjoy writing ekphrasis. Through this poetic form I have also come to appreciate the arts in a new way. So much fun to gain new insights especially on musical favorites. I wrote an ekphrasis on the Moonlight Sonata which made it even more dear to my heart. I think Debussey is next.

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/15/2023 10:35:00 AM

Thanks Sam, finding the next painting to think about has got me appreciating art in a way I never did before. Thank you for your kind words

Charles Messina

Date: 3/9/2023 11:26:00 AM

This is so good, DD. Thanks for pointing me to the painting as well. Seems to me like you've picked the brain of Pieter. Fantastic write! Charlie

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/9/2023 11:29:00 AM

Thanks Charles, I enjoy ekphrasis after attempting it for Brian's contests - your kind words are appreciated

Suzette Richards

Date: 3/9/2023 10:26:00 AM

A rather stirring appraisal of an enigmatic painting. I loved the way in which you question freedom in its many forms (only hinted at in the background of the painting).

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/9/2023 10:32:00 AM

Thank you for taking the time to comment Suzette, I appreciate your feedback

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 3/9/2023 8:12:00 AM

Thanks to you, I had a look at the poignant painting ~ beautifully penned poem, DD

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/9/2023 8:25:00 AM

Thank you for taking the time to view the painting and the poem. Ekphrasis poems are so useful for encouraging the throwing out of a barrage of feelings. I appreciate your comments

Hat Bueckert

Date: 3/9/2023 7:46:00 AM

Not familiar with this form but I like it, very sad and strong poem, your last two lines really tie it all up at the end, nicely done

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/9/2023 7:49:00 AM

Hi Hat, it's just free verse but the ekphrasis is regarding the description of artwork. I'm quite new to the style myself but find it quite liberating as I can write anything that comes to mind. Thank you for your encouraging words