Chagall
The Suitor
©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson
Never think he failed
to bring
anything (that mattered)
to the table.
He braved stone walls.
Flowers in hand and
feminine side intact
(albeit upside-down and
naked to her eyes),
he held his horses.
Proud steeds that
could not hold her––fast
mounts, yes, but
earthbound,
withered by her gaze.
Made small by she
who freely
scorned the ground.
He watched her go,
unmanned (and now
unwomanned), save for
just that aching part
still his to claim.
Stripped down,
exposed, hung
supine from the ledge.
She stepped out, and
the roofs shone red
as bloodlust––burned so
hot his soul was seared.
Redeemed or ruined, he
deemed the wound
skin deep. (His skin.)
Three layers only.
Each one gladly giv'n––
by love consumed.
The soft voice whispered,
Who needs layers at all?
She floated backward, held
him with dark eyes.
Her fruit drooped, ripe
and heavy...oozed so sweet.
He tasted fear as she
suffused his senses––
sated him.
He gorged on hope
long after hope was gone.
Blithely,
the woman in the moon
took notes (not notice).
And the world went on.
You've done an admirable job with this, Sue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strong opening line, and my other favorite is, '...save for just that aching part still his to claim.Stripped down, exposed, hung supine from the ledge.'
ReplyDeleteYou had me at Chagall, dear. Love that guy. And wow. Another good one!
ReplyDeleteLove that you saw a woman in the moon! Your poem is incredible ...
ReplyDeleteJust terrific--you really used the painting in a marvelous way to make your own very human myth. Wonderful. K.
ReplyDeleteWow... just... WOW.
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!! Super fantastic, I didn't even go there but you did. Man, what a journey!
ReplyDeleteThe word-smithing here is off-the-charts good! Vb
ReplyDeletePhewww... I thought the bridegroom was already eyeing someone else. LOL
ReplyDeleteWe all had such different interpretations of this painting. Yours is really good :)
well the world carries on regardless, doesn't it? ;) and yes, what an adventure, spellbinding really. love "unmanned (and now unwomanned)"
ReplyDeleteI love the details from the art that you crafted into your poetic response, Sue. You have given a new life to all the characters Chagall painted here. Their complexities are captivating. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWow, great job and very sensual!
ReplyDeletesue this is wonderfully spun...you def take all the eye can see int he picture and really bring it to life...what a tale as well...nice...
ReplyDeleteA great poem. Yes, time is ticking and the earth keeps turning.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have incorporated every element of the picture into your poem.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Wonderful. Using the details of the painting to add flesh to your poem is very clever.
ReplyDeleteDelicious.
ReplyDeleteMysterious. You have a way....
ReplyDeletethe woman in the moon took notes...hmmmm...that's an interesting concept!!
ReplyDeletei like your take on the prompt
sonnet 39
LOVE that last stanza!! :-)
ReplyDelete