In crumbling garret – hung
lavishly with misery
a fresh canvas offends him
with its blatant candescence
as drums the rain on the window
in dirge-like, largo thrum.
A daubed smudge of anxiety
begins his baleful fresco...
a milk-white dawn, etches
silence over frost-nipped grass
and black willow, hangs
its head – branches heave
with pointillistic tears;
an achromatic, bloodless sun
coldly, looks on – licks
at a fading landscape...
lean, mean...pitiless,
as a sick, starving tiger.
The artist’s palette runs dry –
coheres to a concrete kind
of modernistic art...
by an open fanlight, the colours
harden off – ensnare
an unsuspecting visitor;
a damselfly in frantic thrust
of fury tries to break free
as the canvas sings its own
sweet elegy to a masterpiece.
The picture, priceless,
as the hammer goes down...
His ‘Damsel in Distress’
sells for an undisclosed sum.

Comments
seashore | March 9, 2011 - 14:45
Not surprisingly I think this is fantastic, Tina - particularly
"a fresh canvas offends him
with its blatant candescence"
I know the feeling well....
I also love the idea of `pointillistic tears'
skinner_jennifer | March 9, 2011 - 16:10
Hi Tina,
it's amazing what people keep in their attics.
What a beautifully descriptive painting you
describe and I wonder what it did sell for?
I also love the title.
Thanks for the read.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | March 9, 2011 - 17:38
Hi Coral, thought you might like this one, somehow. Your love of painting, colours, etc...
Many thanks for your lovely comment.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | March 9, 2011 - 17:40
Hi there, Jenny. We only have a small attic - too small to put anything in, but we do have two understairs cupboards which are crammed full with...not too sure;-) Will have to sort them, one of these days.
Pleased you enjoyed and many thanks for telling me;-)
Tina
Dynamaso | March 10, 2011 - 02:17
I think you've captured an artist's frustration admirably. I particularly like
"A daubed smudge of anxiety
begins his baleful fresco..."
I know that feeling well.
Silver Spun Sand | March 10, 2011 - 11:31
Thanks so much, Dynamaso - glad you could identify with this one. I can, most certainly;-)
Tina
Cavalcaderl | March 10, 2011 - 15:34
new Silver-Spun-Sand
Well deserved cherry!
Tried put comment just now,
now found plug pulled out.
This is amazing the way you have captured
images on a canvas and feelings and colours.
And hammer went down. I too have a few collected
who knows how much mainly fete's markets. After
central heating got turn out, small big some names
but who knows?
Line I like
As the canvas sings its own
Sweet elegy to a masterpiece.
Who knows.
Have a good week-end
julie xx
Silver Spun Sand | March 10, 2011 - 15:51
Well hello there, Julie;-) Hope you and yours are OK. Many thanks for your lovely comment, and I'm so glad you liked this one.
Tina xx
Cavalcaderl | March 10, 2011 - 19:58
New Silver-Spun-Sand
Well hello! How are you.
Computer plug was caught out.
Third time replying to you, no glasses on.
Dissappears comment. Brief you. I literally fell?
for Colin Firth "The King's Speech" here? joke I carried bundle newspapers up three steps bedroom backless slippers,due to go to film daughter's treat wham! down on the floor I grazed knees cinema smarted ouch. Took week clear then she took me I wore? Wedged thermal ankle furry boots she bought, she said "hurry mum" across the lights, got onto pavement, chatted happy,facing her wham two tanks in pavement electric or what,smack over I went. , now see one has little metal edging round it, clumsy
oof! must have kicked it. Don't think was boots but expand when warm, she said,so taking boots of in small cinema seats had her flattie shoes on. That was
"The Black Swan" Natalie Portman best actress won. Hard me to undertand all. till dughter told me.I have
got "Swan Lake Ballet" DVD CHEAP OF web is it. Beautiful, my 1st ever ballet, elderly couple took me,I stayed after polio very young, always wanted to be ballerina. Did you stand on points ever.That's enough fro me. Other things went wrong, one religious wise friend, some win some you loose. I don't go now. Ray's out a lot snooker Captain?
How are things with you, promises things, changes his mind.
Have a good week-end. Nothing typed yet answer few only. Nice hear from you. Exciting dream and black cat been in see us. Then post little bit money.
take care
julie xx
rjnewlyn | March 10, 2011 - 23:18
It's a very nicely told story. I like the way the title is woven in unexpectedly.
Rob
Silver Spun Sand | March 11, 2011 - 07:53
Thanks, Rob. Pleased you enjoyed;-)
Tina
fatboy74 | March 11, 2011 - 10:47
Why you are so good at this Tina is summed up if you will pardon the joke in your final word choice of sum, how it works with the earlier rhymes, and echoes the 'own' and 'down'. I would have used fee and it would have been the wrong choice. A master at work. :-)
Silver Spun Sand | March 11, 2011 - 11:33
...And you always do notice those 'little' things, fb, and all I would say is 'it takes one to know one';-)
As for the choice of words, I always liken writing poetry to playing the piano. Same as the ear knows when it hears a chord and likewise, a discord.
Thanks for your lovely comment.
Tina;-)