Opus

Opus

 

According to some as yet un-writ universal law

She was to be his opus

A final masterpiece, without a single flaw ..

Each subtle stroke

each shutter click, each eye lash and golden

wisp of hair

Was each and every one of them a stroke of

genius to be fair ..

He, though was more than modest

and wasted not

one single drop of ink, nor daub of paint, or word

Since she was meant

to be in his eyes perfect, with no blemish, graze,

stain or bruise ..

And should she ever bleed, it was the gods

themselves decreed

It must surely be, from a single perfect 

open wound,

The like of which, all men do dream ..

and so, for four and one half years

he laboured

Every single day and night, he toiled ..

oft foregoing

nourishment and sleep ..

Until that is, he lost his mind and sight to her

for gazing

far too long and hard and deep upon her

nakedness as was,

Now draped and seemingly resplendent 

in a borrowed flaxen shawl ..

and held there pinned against the sudden

unexpected backdrop of an elsewise 

empty canvass ..

Carelessly gathering dust like that

in a corner of some long forgotten artist’s 

studio apartment

Not a million miles away from Plaza Trastevere ..

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

When trying to make something magnificent it can become all consuming. Flaws are what make each person special and unique.

Sometimes when painting, writing or so on if we become fixated on being perfect it becomes overwhelming and will remain blank.

[Neville]

You don't say ... well I'm gonna thank you anyway :)

[Hayllie]

Art and writing are always judge first by appearance and those that look or read are always trying to find the flaws, but isn't that what makes the world so amazing!? So perfectly imperfect! In a way perfectionism can be such an inspiring and beautiful thing. Especially when it produces something so magnificent as a beautiful smile that will forever linger in our minds.. So very beautiful

[Neville]

I guess that's a yes then .. maybe ........... thanks for helping to keep up the appearance of this somewhat lonely page ..

Neville :)

[John the Baptist]

Perfectionism can lead to obsession, and obsession can lead to naught (Or is that nowt?).

[Neville]

I ticked the 'did you find this review constructive box' but on reflection, I note maybe it was just my OCD kicking in ... nowt will do nicely .. Cheers :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Wonderful poem on the sublime perfection that is Da Vinvci and his masterpiece of young woman whose smile will forever be immortalized in art. Than you, Neville, for sharing your work and artin words.

[Neville]

thank you for such an encouraging review note Carlos and for your ongoing support :)