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Undergrowth with Two Figures - Van Gogh

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Undergrowth with Two Figures Poetry Contest

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Ann Peck

Date: 2/22/2025 1:39:00 PM

Beautiful, David. I love it! Congratulations!

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/22/2025 3:01:00 PM

Thanks so much, was a great one to write, had so much fun getting into the painting and hopefully Van Gogh’s mind, I’m delighted with my placement in Dilly’s contest, cheers David

Ink Empress

Date: 2/20/2025 5:41:00 AM

Dear david, this fits perfectly for the picture prompt, the art work that youv interpreted in such a detailed manner! I absolutely love the softness of your voice here and also the flow of imagery painted in such eloquence! I love the fact that youv highlighted the violet bark that not many noticed. You really have looked deep and given one that shows the ambience so vividly. And the ending is soul stirring! I bet thats what van gogh must have felt. “Sadness will last forever” Soul hitting! Congratulations on your top win! Well deserved! Sending you light always

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/20/2025 8:36:00 AM

Heya Ink, yeah apparently those words (The sadness will last forever) were his final ones, I tried to mimic the duality of his mindset when painting this masterpiece by offering a few interpretations, the figures are very much trying to tell us something, all adding to the intrigue of his work, I was delighted to finish second in Dilly’s contest just behind your own winning masterpiece, cheers David

Terry Miller

Date: 2/19/2025 12:39:00 AM

Brilliant interpretation, well done

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/19/2025 1:03:00 AM

I’m humbled by your comment Terry, thank you for stopping by, cheers David

Paige Hind

Date: 2/18/2025 9:01:00 PM

Gorgeous poetry - loved the flow,

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/19/2025 1:01:00 AM

Thank you Paige it was another one of those poems I enjoyed putting together, cheers David

Susan Ashley

Date: 2/18/2025 6:54:00 PM

Dear David, a thought provoking poem beautifully expressed. I was intrigued by the nuanced emotional possibilities of your interpretation of this painting. Splendid poetry. Congratulations for your success in DD’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/19/2025 1:00:00 AM

Heya Susan, you are on the money, there are quite a few nuanced interpretations in this piece, my aim was to try touch on some practicalities Van Gogh may have had in mind when painting in the figures and to try balance the picture with the surrounding imagery, I’m delighted with my placement in Dilly’s contest cheers David

Di11y Da11y

Date: 2/18/2025 2:05:00 PM

I adored this poem from the moment I read it David! The cadence draws in the reader to the mood, creating the scene around them in such an evocative way. Conjuring such a gentle, last ditch attempt at convincing self things will be ok by holding and lingering in a fond memory as reality keeps crashing in.

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/18/2025 2:27:00 PM

Thanks so much Dilly, I got great enjoyment getting deep into the painting and writing this piece for your contest, you perfectly captured what I was trying to express in the poem, Damn reality! I’m sure this thought went through Van Gogh’s head every day of his life, I’m delighted to come a close second, the winner was fully deserved, your contest brought out the best in many poets with some great entries, cheers David

Di11y Da11y
Date: 2/18/2025 2:05:00 PM

The way you carry the reader, ever hopeful, to the inevitable last two lines is both crushing and beautiful. The voice feels both third person and within the painting in a way that perfectly harmonises with the painting. Excellent entry and extremely close second.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 2/16/2025 8:42:00 AM

What a write and picture you have here. I enjoy many of Van Gogh's works. I wonder if this was him with a lover taking a walk in a forest. Guess we will never know. "Good Luck" Have a fun day as you write away.................

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/16/2025 10:19:00 AM

Heya Paula, I agree we will never know for sure what Van Gogh had in mind with the figures in this masterpiece, I could be a million miles away or on the money, that’s the beauty of poetic license, thanks for stopping by, cheers David

Lin Lane

Date: 2/15/2025 5:25:00 AM

Many people find themselves lost trying to interpret the artist’s rendering in any of his paintings. You offer several subtle thoughts on what you see, as you also do on poetry. I wouldn’t paint you as Rodin’s Thinker, but it’s what you are and never afraid to express your thoughts.

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/15/2025 8:31:00 AM

Of course it’s all relative to the observer but the fact that he mentions the figures in the title of the painting, is telling me they could have a bigger roll to play, so it’s up to the poet to explore all possibilities, what would art critics know anyway lol!

Lin Lane
Date: 2/15/2025 7:11:00 AM

I always find it interesting that people see so many different things in a painting. I found the people to be of little importance to the scene, but I’m not a professional Art critic. I just know what appeals to my eyes as well as what doesn’t.

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/15/2025 7:03:00 AM

I’ll happily accept the moniker (Rodin’s Thinker) Lin, these are only the duality of my pondering’s after all, I do try see the bigger picture for better or worse, even those in between parts, I took a little poetic license here, and gave an unorthodox yet plausible interpretation of what those mysterious figures are up to in the thicket! Thanks so much for stopping by, cheers David

Tom Cunningham

Date: 2/14/2025 10:50:00 PM

Brilliant interpretation David, you know how to read art. Good luck in the contest, enjoy your weekend. Just read the St Patrick's day parade in Birmingham has been cancelled, lack of money I think, what a bummer. Tom

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/15/2025 1:22:00 AM

Thank you Tom, I always enjoy getting caught up in the moment of unresolved paintings, and have an inkling more is going on than meets the eye with those figures Van Gogh purposely left vague, I hint at a couple of possibilities in the 3rd stanza; Sad to hear the parade was cancelled so near to the event, was probably always on a shoestring budget, such is life these days, cheers David