I had to stop the car
to take another look.
It could have been a page
from Norman Rockwell’s book.
A farmhouse painted white,
a porch with rocking chairs,
chickens in the barnyard
scratching for their fare.
Tousled red-haired boy
freckled face and all
chasing yellow puppy
running with his ball.
Tiny girl in pinafore
blond curly hair in bows
sitting on the porch steps,
dolls all set in rows.
Mother at the clothesline
hanging sheets with pins.
You almost see them flapping
and snapping in the wind.
In fenced-in field adjoining,
a mare with new-born foal,
white blaze upon her forehead,
takes a morning stroll.
I want to live in a Norman Rockwell painting
Where I'm surrounded by the simple times
If you don't know what I mean let me explain it
It consists of front porch swings and Mom's apple pie
Sunday afternoons in Grandma's kitchen
Lazy fishing days down by the lake
Or in a Soda Shop drinking Chocolate Malts with cherries on top
As I while away the day Norman's way
Riding bikes down hills the whole time laughing
Cowboys, Indians, and Pirates all in one day
With sunsets painted red and no strangers met
No secrets kept to wanna give away
Life on parade the American way
Pride in your family and friends
Helping each other no matter race, creed, or color
Starting each meal out with an amen
Picnics at the park, hot dogs and gaming
Potato sack and three-legged racing
Nothing like today's grind taxing both the heart and mind
Which to me desperately needs replacing
With life in a Norman Rockwell painting
What wood you look 4 in a super heroe group ? IDE want sum one kwick , with speed like the flash ! And a black guy hooz allways talking trash !
And a fat cowboy with a small flying machine , hoo can be giving his pals a ride.
And a pretty redhead girl hoo levitates 2 the other side .
And a Kung fu master and a master of disskyze ,
Let's call this group , Scott Rockwell,s lunatic fringe ,
And ile take my burgers with fries ! ...
Norman Rockwell
Rockwellesque
brilliant man with nostalgia values
with dreams viewed of a perfect life
depicting amusing scenes
with sense of humor, shown
with heartwarming bonds
memories fade
canvas art
captures
life
12/2/2015
Poetry Contest: Favorite Painter
Sponsored by: Nayda Ivette Negron
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
www.howmanysyllables.com
Norman Rockwell
Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture
Born: February 3, 1894, New York City, NY
Died: November 8, 1978, Stockbridge, MA
Children: Thomas Rockwell, Jarvis Waring, Peter Barstow
Organizations founded: Famous Artists School
Notable works: Willie Gillis, Rosie the Riveter, Four Freedoms, The Problem We All Live With
I love the work of Norman Rockwell!
It recalls to mind memories,
When the times were more sublime.
Stories written with paint,
I can understand!
His work will live
Forever.
Thank you,
Norm!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
Entry for Nayda Ivette Negron's "Favorite Painter" Contest
Tree lights are on, and dinner's done
A tummy full from Christmas cake
A sticky face from candy canes
A cookie plate with Santa's name
Stockings hung, by the fireplace
And traces of some sleepy faces
They rub their eyes, they hide their yawns
And daddy tells a story, old
While mommy shares a bedtime song
And bedside prayers, on knees, behold
A touch of snow, upon the lawn
And night will glisten, till the dawn
At last the house is silent
They're tucked away and sleeping
Tomorrow down the winding stairs
We'll see them all come leaping
The lights are on, the stockings plump
And laughter squeals without a stop
Then soon the fun begins, unwrapping
Treasured moments, worth embracing
With faces bright and shining
It all takes place on Christmas morn...
A magic moment. Just imagine !!!
If this was Christmas, everywhere
no matter where, or one's belief
a new joy could be born
Rockwell was my rock
The reason I became
A graphic designer
Seeking fortune & fame
Achieved my portion
Of the fortune part
And fame, at least locally
Graphics was my art
Long before computers
I will king of the hill
Even after, my design skills
Were valued still
Worked on the art table
Longer than most
Wasn't sent out to pasture
Till later, I can boast
I still miss the challenge
That faced me each day
A big part still longs
To revisit yesterday
Surely at my happiest
While practicing my art
That pleased my clients
'Twas the best part
Receiving recognition
I sorrily still miss
Coz I know I'm still able
Now I just reminisce
Norman Rockwell was my rock!
© Jack Ellison 2013