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Undergrowth with Two Figures - Van Gogh

An unpopulated place where 
poplars grow 
Unseen canopies expose 
tree trunks in a row 
Wildflowers swoon over 
undergrowth below 
As back to front figures
watch the panoramic show 

Lush vegetation evokes a 
spellbinding hue
With violet bark
to engrain their view
Don’t flee this forest
reality will go askew
Stay forever 
they may just pull through

Lost in the emerald
is a world of their own
Do they seek solace 
have seeds been sown?
In this vibrant thicket
where trees have grown
Have they just come together? 
or come back to atone 

Perfect is a dream 
without fear or dread
One that only ends, 
when we go to bed?
The artist knew well, 
his final words bled
“Sadness will last forever”
>yet brilliance he spread<

Copyright © David Kavanagh | Year Posted 2025

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Ann Peck Date: 2/22/2025 1:39:00 PM Beautiful, David. I love it! Congratulations! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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, Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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

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................. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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