The poet and the art teacher

Cherry

By seashore

Thu, 27 Jan 2011
  • 6251 reads
24 comments
 

A poet meets an artist
wrong time
wrong place
he is there to paint -
but despite her efforts
the pen prospers

So he addresses her
in verse,
explains the problem;
she replies
in the only language
they both understand.

It is the first poem
she ever writes.

His accent is Scouse,
foreign to her -
but she knows
he is a true poet

She knows because
she's been here before;
countless scrawled
childish rhymes
on scraps of paper
handed to her
by shaven-headed
tattooed suitors..

But nothing like this -
his she saves, savours,
forgets she is there
to teach him to paint;
teacher student
you wouldn't know
the difference.

Subtle his words
for the unattainable,
he knows she knows
and never crosses the line
and she never knows
his crime, she doesn't
need to, doesn't care...

Too soon he pays his dues
hands her his
`barbed wire verse'
as a parting gift,
leaving her wondering
what might have been.

Certificate U
Poem
Love

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi seashore, this is a nice poem, of shared talants, I like the idea of the writer and the artist sharing, I think we can all learn something from each other no matter who we are. Thanks for the read. Jenny.

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you very much Jenny.

Submitted by Beeme on
I really enjoyed Seashore, particularly liked the last verse :] Beeme xx

k.

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on
this is wonderful seashore

 

Submitted by seashore on
Bless you, Beeme. It's just one that `snuck out' when I wasn't thinking about writing. I was looking through some old files and found this man's poems and that was it! Thank you. xx

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks insert! I can never judge but it was easier to write than most of mine are for some reason.

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks for the cherry btw!

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Couldn't agree more with all that has been said. Well done on the more than deserved cherry;-) Tina

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks as ever, Tina!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Hi seashore. Your description of life inside a male prison, and the wealth of talent that these institutions harbour, is excellent. One can only wonder at how creativity can prosper even behind bars. Just one tiny question: shouldn't 'suiters' be suitors? Luigi x

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you for your feedback Luigi - I always value your comments and thanks also for spotting my `typo'. I will rectify that immediately! You're right, some of these guys are genuinely talented but by the mid-90s they were starting to phase out the creative arts in prison education which was a great shame. Editing to say `done'. I hate having mistakes like that in my work so very grateful. Coral x

Submitted by seashore on
Many thanks SC for your kind words - much appreciated.

Submitted by fatboy74 on
A wonderful ending to a really good poem. Well done seashore. :-)

 

Submitted by seashore on
Really appreciate your comments as ever, fatboy.

Submitted by Geoffrey on
New one to me. Congrats on cherry, just as I thought I was catching up!

Submitted by seashore on
Yes it IS new - two days old in fact! Check your emails.

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new seashore Had to stop and read all of this poem. It is amazing if I may say so, the talent you have is all there in words details colours and images and story of Artist Painter just great.Maybe he was thinking of painting portrait. "The Song Portrait oF My Love". Like it all. Thanks. well deserved cherry! Just looked at (IP) this week coming it is on thre phrases Fountain Pen. Crossing The Line and Broad Strokes. By our Editor t.cook. (Tony) is it Ip for this week you have done. I know what you mean getting tired I have scraps at moment working on one,loose bits of paper different, or mine clutters up things,his computer julie x.

Submitted by seashore on
Hi Julie Thanks for reading and liking this and saying so - I do appreciate it. Also for mentioning my other poem as well. Yes I feel I have already done the IP so why do it all over again!! I also live with clutter bits of paper with ideas and phrases written down but as I'm on my own it doesn't matter so much. I don't feel at all in a writing mood but that's not unusual for me and then suddenly something happens - if I'm lucky that is. Glad you understand the tiredness - I think writing is exhausting compared with painting but maybe it will get easier the more I do. Thanks again. Coral x

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new seashore Hello. I have only just got on computer. As it is Rays not mine. And he is snooker captain. Worse luck, so time answer and think a bit.Well I am like you not clever enough play or read music love to. Or paint but think we can all stretch ourselves try something and of course whether it's this singing dancing reading, like Editor t.cook (Tony) told me we are all interacting with each other as I and no good punctuation.My character is try if can't grasp whatever try something else. Daughter and hubby both so quick! But be telling I am much older than hubby. I see and heard so many say "I can't do that".Wish I could paint and read music I have a keyboard with numbers on keys and dong out with one hand same numers on sheet, forget had keyboard. Pop was musician of three instruments. All good therapy. Even make a cuppa I'm going for one now.Don't forget a break go back again, or walk anything rest to music. Thanks. julie

Submitted by seashore on
Julie, you can write AND in a foreign language. That is clever and you believe it. I think we all lack confidence deep down but as you say - it's good to stretch ourselves and try new things. xx

Submitted by barryj1 on
Another poem with a visual, story-like quality. All the best poems tend to read like short fiction. People come together. Sparks fly. This poem has that 'special' quality.

barryj1

Submitted by seashore on
Barry, your encouragement means so much to me. I did mean to tell a story with this one and thank you so much for letting me know it worked.

Submitted by barryj1 on
It worked. Trust me on that. Sometimes I, too, worry that I haven't succesfully pulled something off in a short story, especially when taking certain calculated risks. It is infinitely helpful when somebody confirms that those original sensibilities were on the mark.

barryj1

Submitted by seashore on
It is indeed - I do trust you and thank you for sharing your own experiences. That helps enormously too. Best wishes, Coral