Tuesday, May 3, 2011

elusive

edward john poynter erato: muse of poetry

her eyes somewhat downcast and thoughtful,
she sits on the other side of the table
waiting for the door
to creak open and admit the guest

who will they be?
what will they say?
how long will they stay?

something in the soft compression of her mouth
casts doubt on the likelihood
that the answers to the questions
i fling into the void
won't simply resolve as little better than
the transient sparks
of a falling star
arcing across the pale-silvered brow of dawn


more on erato

18 comments:

Ruth said...

And there is some satisfaction in the arc of the falling star, isn't there? Living with longing, and mystery.

steven said...

ruth - i'll take it and enjoy it and return whatever beauty it leaves to whomever cares to share it with me. steven

Friko said...

You are opening my eyes here. To explore the 'thoughts' in the subject of a picture is new to me.
erato could very well be contemplating what you say.

R. Burnett Baker said...

Poynter paints a realistic expression of what I see as the unrequited expectations of Erato. Perhaps that's why she was the muse of poetry, poetry being but one messenger of those emotions?

Enjoyed this lesson in Greek history!

Rick

Reya Mellicker said...

It's a state of wonder, yes?

Butternut Squash said...

I think that your muse should be well pleased by the beauty of your inspired sparks.

Tess Kincaid said...

I love this. All of it.

Meri said...

You've been busy with the muse while I've been hunkered down trying to recover. I've missed so many words!

The Weaver of Grass said...

She looks so innocent, doesn;t she? She is my favourite of all the muses.

steven said...

friko - i like to try and "see" paintings and then to "feel" them and then to become them. the story flows from the process. steven

steven said...

hey rick! we're here to learn and then also to teach and then also to get beyond the surface of the painting we call life. there are so many entryways. steven

steven said...

yeah reya it's a state of wonder and then too, wondering. steven

steven said...

hi butternut! thankyou!!! i try to be available to whatever's made present and then to get out of its way as much as possible. steven

steven said...

hi tess and thankyou . . . that's high praise. steven

steven said...

hey meri i'm happy to see you up and around again!!!! steven

steven said...

weaver she is innocent in my own experience. she affords me the possibility to reexperience my own innocence each time i come near her. steven

Valerianna said...

A lovely moment, steven! .... I, had a different, slightly irreverent take on the moment! She is, of course, playing cards with other big hitters of mythology. The finger to the ear is the signal telling her partner she has the cards they need... she is quite innocent, and a very good card player... her poker face is excellent!

steven said...

valerianna i hadn't thought of the poker face and the ear touch that way and that's what makes you so cool!!!! thanks a kazillion for that! steven