Vincent

July 29, 1890 Colored daubs and swatches crave artist’s practiced hand. Justice, nearly blind, yet watches— unwrought art upon a stand. Regard the brushes in a row— the palettes and the sponges. Genius maimed by status quo, vain a hope that fate expunges. Guttered myriad lifelong dreams— in desperate ruination. Fading now the piteous screams of self-inflicted termination. Time Passes Abruptly then adoring praise— contrived their sudden expertise. Rude cabal who would appraise— byzantine their guileful sleaze. Each masterpiece a servant of craven yearn and greed. Bang the gavel, swift and fervent; sate purveyors’ inveterate need. Justice now is truly blind; vanished those She would impute. His final piece is left unsigned; and undisclosed, for now She’s mute. 4th Place: I Love Rock and Roll Inspired by Don McLean's song, Starry Starry Night

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Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 2/18/2016 10:11:00 PM

You have achieved a marvelous understanding of the difficulties experienced by a long suffering artist... again, excellent phrasing and imagery. BRAVO! Keith

Mark Peterson
Date: 2/18/2016 10:20:00 PM

Thanks, Keith. I honestly didn't think I could write this one. Something about Vincent had festered in me for a long time.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/9/2015 11:50:00 PM

soupmail.

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 12/20/2014 3:06:00 PM

An excellent poem and beautiful song that inspired you, Mark! Congrats!! Hugs, Rhonda

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/21/2014 1:55:00 AM

Rhonda, very nice to meet you here; I appreciate your remarks so very much. So you at your locale here soon.

Brenda Meier-Hans

Date: 12/11/2014 2:12:00 PM

Congratulations on your win Mark. I have always loved this song.

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/21/2014 1:54:00 AM

Brenda, so kind of you to stop by for a read of this poem. I'll visit your page soon.

Roy Jerden

Date: 12/10/2014 10:56:00 AM

Hey Mark! Just getting around to take another look at this one! I really like the final version! Congratulations on the contest placement! BTW, when I taught radiologic physics, I had almost an entire lecture period on Tesla, a strange, but real genius and not a tinkerer (and jerk) like Edison. Glad to see they named a car after him.

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/10/2014 6:39:00 PM

Roy, thanks for coming to check it out. I think I get about 90% there and then can't figure out how to apply the final polish. Thank goodness for people like you that can assist. Tesla dedicated his work to mankind. Edison and his buddy Ford were self-centered.

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 12/10/2014 8:25:00 AM

I have also just added you to my favorite poets list!

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/10/2014 6:41:00 PM

Such an honor, I can hardly believe.

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 12/10/2014 8:23:00 AM

I love this song it has always been one of my favorites. You did an amazing job with your version. A Fav! Congratulations on your win!

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/10/2014 6:41:00 PM

Thanks, Maurice. Great to have you stop by with such wonderful praise. I look forward to seeing your work, which I will do shortly.

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 12/9/2014 8:53:00 PM

Nicely penned song, congrats on the win

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/10/2014 6:40:00 PM

Thank you Dr. Ram. You are so doggoned diligent as to make my brain hurt.

Joseph May

Date: 12/9/2014 7:21:00 AM

Congrats on a fine win Mark

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/9/2014 8:16:00 PM

Thanks so much Joseph. I appreciate your remarks.

Jan Allison

Date: 12/9/2014 1:50:00 AM

I have always loved the song Mark and this is incredibly powerfully written:-) hugs Jan xx

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/9/2014 11:28:00 AM

Jan, you are the best. Thanks.

Kelly Deschler

Date: 12/8/2014 10:34:00 PM

This was a very unique take on the rock n' roll theme, but not considering the song you chose!... A wonderful quatrain, Mark. Congrats on your win!

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/9/2014 11:27:00 AM

Kelly: Thanks so much for your thoughtful remarks. I so appreciate that you took the time to read the poem and post your comment.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 12/5/2014 4:19:00 PM

nothing short of eloquent, mark... you held on to this art-piece amidst the passage of time.. what a tremendous ending!... you awe!.. hugs and thanks for passing by!.. huggs

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/5/2014 8:50:00 PM

Thanks, Nette. This has sort of been a burr under my saddle for some time. I'm so gratified that you, one of my favorite of all poets here, took time to read it and had something encouraging to say. Happy holidays.

Monterey Sirak

Date: 11/25/2014 7:18:00 AM

A brilliant poem inspired by a classic artist. I am glad you were inspired by something other than the song most people think of when it is Don McLean.

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/25/2014 11:46:00 AM

Thanks so much, Monterey. I'm glad you recognized and appreciated my different take on the matter.

Ken Carroll

Date: 11/23/2014 8:05:00 PM

Well crafted with much depth..I enjoyed the visit!

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/25/2014 11:47:00 AM

Thanks so much, Ken. Please stop by again.

Sarai Virden

Date: 11/18/2014 10:48:00 AM

Extravagant beauty! You have contextually captured the torture and glory of an artists soul in this one. "Each masterpiece a servant of craven yearn and greed" your writing is stunning! A brilliant weave of language capable of defining what, in the real world, can only be felt. A standing ovation my dear friend!

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/18/2014 11:55:00 AM

Thanks, Sarai. Your comments always humble and stimulate at the same time. A worthwhile talent that I urge you to continue to exercise on my behalf!

Sarai Virden

Date: 11/18/2014 10:48:00 AM

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/18/2014 12:54:00 AM

this is masterfully written, gosh, I don't even think I could ever write one like this!! I agree with the things Connie said to you below my comment. you really understood vincent. Does this poem by chance happen to be based on the song vincent (for the rock and roll contest? I think it could be used in that contest)

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/18/2014 11:57:00 AM

Well, Andrea, I look back on my poems a few months after having written them and think that I couldn't have written them either. I just hope that whichever/whoever the ghost is that they'll continue haunting me.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 11/18/2014 12:43:00 AM

Your poem is amazing Mark! The expert way you reveal his anguished demise in your third stanza is brilliant. I love the way your words unravel in clever calculation of well chosen words to depict the most impact! Wow, this poem is so impressive I must fav. it! I have studdied this artist and his work and your tribute to a man who died thinking himself a failure would move him deeply!

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/18/2014 12:02:00 PM

Thanks, Connie. Vincent Van Gogh is of course only one of the many—esteemed for naught until much later on. I should try writing something on the anatomy of praise. If it could then be easily reconciled with what is good art, I might have something. Kind of like discerning the difference between a person saying "I tell the truth" and "I am honest." The first is what I do. The second is what I am.

Dorian Petersen Potter

Date: 11/17/2014 10:44:00 PM

One of my very favorite painter always been Vincent.so gifted and original no one Can be like him ever. It breaks my heart to know all the suffering and anguish he went thru before he took his own life. Poor misunderstood beautiful Vincent. Just love him and his magnificent paintings.Excellent write! A 7 for me! :) Love and light! xxx D.

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/17/2014 11:41:00 PM

Dorian, thank you so much for gracing my page with your thoughtful remarks. I am pleased you thought well of my poem, and I look forward to reading yours.

Joseph May

Date: 11/17/2014 6:50:00 PM

Great write Mark...Is this about the artist. .Van Gogh?

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/17/2014 7:24:00 PM

Yes, Joseph. He did not prosper in life. Neither did another genius, Nicola Tesla. In the poem I take exception to those who become wealthy by doing nothing more than taking advantage of a business opportunity through clever positioning of the 'product'—totally absent in the time that it would have done the man some good. No doubt they were hyping the work of someone else who had gone before in their time. Thanks for commenting.