Birth On Canvas

The canvas, open thighed
with birthing pains begs
my brush to be its midwife.

Inadequate but inspired
I deliver the newborn
with strokes of paint
across pallor’s cheek.

Rooted in burnt umber,
a trunk sprouts leaves of gold
and peach nippled fruit.

When my muse speaks
it is finished, I feel relief,
but in this brief respite
I hear the first moans
calling from another womb.


©Susie Clevenger 2014

At Real Toads Fireblossom provided the beautiful art of Seraphine Louis as inspiration for our poetry. Fireblossom Friday ~ Seraphine Louis

Comments

cosmos cami said…
Powerful symbolism equal to the painter's imagery.
I think you captured the nature and primitive feeling these canvases are imbued with.
Anonymous said…
Love the way you've used the birth metaphor.
Sumana Roy said…
the imagery works so well with the
painter's theme...
Fireblossom said…
Did you know that the painting you've chosen is called "Tree of Life"? I know just what you're describing here, Susie, and it's true, scarcely has one come alive than the next one is faintly heard coming closer.
hedgewitch said…
You really get under the skin of this metaphor, Susie, with subtle skill. I love the 'peach-nippled fruit'--they do seem reminiscent of the female, breasts and wombs, now that I look again. You seem to get very close to the spirit of the artist as well.An excellent response to the challenge.
Anonymous said…
The more poems for today's prompt I read, the more I wish I could go back and undo my own attempt. *sigh* This couldn't, in my mind, be more perfect. What you saw and described in that painting is extraordinary!
Maude Lynn said…
Wow. I love your approach to the painting.
Kathryn Dyche said…
Holy canoli, this is fantastic.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Wowzers: "Begs my brush to be its midwife"........and "peach nippled fruit". OMG. The closing line knocks this one right out of the park.
Preeti S. said…
The joy of creativity. Loved it. :D
Kerry O'Connor said…
Their seems to be an over-abundance to her style, excess of fruitfulness and you have hit on that sense so well here in the relationship to giving birth, in blood and pain to children of the creative drive.
Anonymous said…
Ha. This is wonderful. I know this feeling myself I have to say--both in the physical sense and in terms of writing, though honestly, I find the writing part such pleasure--maybe not after when I have to read it. A very cool idea and poem. Thank you, Susie. k.
Scarlet said…
I love your approach, the birthing of art and words in canvas or page ~ The imagery of trunk & leaves are specially striking ~

So well done Susie ~
Gail said…
The first verse drew me in and nothing after that was the same. Beautifully created. You must paint, too.
Margaret said…
Wow! This is just fantastic. A brush as a midwife is so cool and the whole poem nothing like anything I've ever read. Loved it.
I can now see what you're describing. Poetry allowing us to see this art differently- madly, deeply, truly. Brava.
Helen said…
This is wonderful ... wonderful!
Anonymous said…
Susie, this is an amazing take on the prompt. Stunning ~