What Happened To The Painter

Based on actual events during the long hot summer of.....

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PAINTER

Why does

Your canvas lie

In a corner on the floor

?

What happened to the masterpiece

You promised me

A year ago today

?

And where are all

Your poems now

?

Don’t tell me that

You’ve thrown them all away

 

I used to love to

Sit and watch you

Paint the days

 

I notice you are smoking now

And the room

Has not been dusted recently

 

What happened

To those Sunday morning eyes

I travelled far to see

?

I used to love

To sit and talk away the days

 

Let me draw the curtains

There’s a sunny day outside

 

Walk me by the river

The way we used to do

 

I’ll show you beauty on the way

Nothing’s changed

Except the seasons

 

And I still love you just the same

Author's Note

I always wanted to paint but my mum bought me a pen and held a gun up to my head

Reviews

[fallon]

First of all, I like the structure of this poem. With a subject of painting it is fitting that the outline of the poem with the solitary question marks is aesthetically appealing.
Secondly. It is such a beautiful read. I felt every word deeply. It pulled me in!

[Neville]

how very kind of you .. thank you fallon .. Neville

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your closing line was like an arrow through the heart. But then, a smile quickly healed me, as I read your author's note. Beautiful imagery brought it all into focus, allowing me to sit back in my chair, and take it all in...one more time.

[Neville]

too kind Kelly, but then you always are my friend, thank you so much .. Neville

[Arundass TP]

Lot of questions? Lot of thought to write this poem. Loved reading 🙂

[Neville]

Bless you my friend .. thank you so very bloomin much .. Neville

[Ken e Bujold]

God I am ever so glad you decided to feature this oldy, but gold-spun gem. When I sat down to critic the poem, I stopped mid-first word and thought: who/what/when does this remind me of? where do i begin to pull from the memory banks to compare it with?

the imagists, check. the avantistes, check. Not joking! there is Aldington here, and Cummings. But then there is more. A little daub of Stevens. A smear of Creeley and Cohen. All in all ,,, Damn by friend

THIS IS DAMN GOOD

Ken

[Neville]

I am honoured Ken absolutely sir .. many thanks mate .. I'll pop the cheque in the post asap :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Hard to revive your sleeping muse Neville.
"Nothing’s changed
Except the seasons"
The above lines. Told the tale my friend. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Neville]

Hello stranger .. so good to hear from you Johnnie C .. Many thanks my friend for stopping by .. Wishing You all good things, Neville

[nadia dmitri]

What a beautiful piece!!! It is such a vivid and symbolic description. Even just the concept of 'promised paintings and poems' is so layered. It holds such profound emotion. Amazing job :)

[Neville]

how very kind you are .. and likewise, so very much appreciated. thank you so much nadia ..

[Ken Simm.]

You have been peeking at my diary again. Actually and seriously, this I understand. Not many people recognise painters block and how related to depression it is and how common it is amongst us.
This is a very empathic write.

[Neville]

I am honoured you felt able to share that Ken .. I know that feeling only too well .. I get it far more often than I do the writers equivalent .. Neville

[redd Brick Keshner]

A stirring reveille and that gun to the head, well, that's something experienced first hand. Along with that I was left handed but know use my right.... that gun to the head keeps poking.

[Neville]

I know that feeling too .. cheers RBK .. N

[Chris Shaw]

Well over five years since I visited this poem last. Just checked my earlier response and found interestingly enough I mentioned my youngest grandson’s depression and that triggered a whole lot of memories. I think the painter would have been a very young man here. Depression is such a drag Neville but you would know all about that in your profession.

Chris

[Neville]

this is rather old but hopefully not past its sell by date .. thank you again Chris .. Neville

[Wild Rose]

Take him out to bright places
The ones he loved the best. get him to open his eyes to the beauty
Show him love and make him feel wanted

You are on your way to wake up his desire to add paint to canvas
We all sufer this at the end of winter

[Neville]

Another interesting perspective my dear Wild Rose & I thank you for it and true..........N

[Wild Rose]

We suffer from "Cabin Fever" at the end of winter
Just had the Mhome serviced > Blood tests OK teeth need work later< eyes at same time of the year when next tests are due
Looking at long range weather > then no internet for n weeks .. where n = unknown

[Neville]

tis the same the whole world over n = nuff said...