Whistler's Mother
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- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Whistler's Mother
V2:
Whistler's Mother
Who would have thought a simple woman
from Paterson would live on
in the Musée d'Orsay?
When the painting was first unveiled
the critics were outraged
as if their own sister
had posed nude in a brothel.
Some wag chirped
her son must have positioned me
that way to avoid gazing
at my stern face. Truth is,
I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. I turned
my good ear and my best side
towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?
Why did the critics show such disdain?
Had I insulted them
without knowing it?
Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways they couldn't admit to,
embittered that unlike
my colorful Jemie
they would always
be dull sons and husbands,
their lives arrangements
in grey
V1:
Whistler's Mother
Who would have thought that a simple woman
from Paterson would live out
her life in the Musée d'Orsay?
When the painting was first hung
the critics were as outraged
as if their own sister
had been painted sitting in a brothel.
My son must have positioned me
that way to avoid gazing
all day at my stern face
is what some wag chirped. Truth is,
I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. I turned
my good ear and my best side
towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?
Why did the critics show such disdain?
Had I ever insulted them
without knowing it?
Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways they couldn't admit to,
embittered that unlike
my colorful Jemie
they would always
be dull sons and husbands,
their lives arrangements
in grey
note: this is an old poem, revised, an earlier version published long ago in a defunct publication
Whistler's Mother
Who would have thought a simple woman
from Paterson would live on
in the Musée d'Orsay?
When the painting was first unveiled
the critics were outraged
as if their own sister
had posed nude in a brothel.
Some wag chirped
her son must have positioned me
that way to avoid gazing
at my stern face. Truth is,
I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. I turned
my good ear and my best side
towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?
Why did the critics show such disdain?
Had I insulted them
without knowing it?
Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways they couldn't admit to,
embittered that unlike
my colorful Jemie
they would always
be dull sons and husbands,
their lives arrangements
in grey
V1:
Whistler's Mother
Who would have thought that a simple woman
from Paterson would live out
her life in the Musée d'Orsay?
When the painting was first hung
the critics were as outraged
as if their own sister
had been painted sitting in a brothel.
My son must have positioned me
that way to avoid gazing
all day at my stern face
is what some wag chirped. Truth is,
I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. I turned
my good ear and my best side
towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?
Why did the critics show such disdain?
Had I ever insulted them
without knowing it?
Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways they couldn't admit to,
embittered that unlike
my colorful Jemie
they would always
be dull sons and husbands,
their lives arrangements
in grey
note: this is an old poem, revised, an earlier version published long ago in a defunct publication
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Re: Whistler's Mother
Bob. You're at your best with this medium of artists, musicians.
-
- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Whistler's Mother
Thank you, Ken, for saying that... many thanks
Re: Whistler's Mother
Agree with Ken, Bob, you are at your best when writing about artists and musicians.
meenas17
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- Posts: 1987
- Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
- Location: Between the mountains and the sea
Re: Whistler's Mother
Nice idea, Whistler's mother is called a great painting,
most just see a very old woman.
What is great is Whistler's love of an ordinary old woman,
now that is extraordinary.
Suggestion for S1:
Who would have thought that a woman
from Paterson would hang out
in the old Beaux-Arts railway station.
most just see a very old woman.
What is great is Whistler's love of an ordinary old woman,
now that is extraordinary.
Suggestion for S1:
Who would have thought that a woman
from Paterson would hang out
in the old Beaux-Arts railway station.
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- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Whistler's Mother
Meenas, Frank - thank you. Frank, I will think about your suggestion...thx for making it
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- Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57
Re: Whistler's Mother
Hi Bob,
An engaging ekphrasis, strong & colorful - Bravo!
workshop illustrated for your perusal & consideration. -- Michael (MV)
Who would have thought that
a simple woman
from Paterson lives on
in fame chez Musée d'Orsay?
When the painting was first unveiled
the critics were outraged
as if their own sister
had posed nude in a brothel.
Some wag chirped
her son must have positioned her
that way to avoid gazing
all day at such a stern face. Truth is,
I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. Of course,
my good ear and my best side
turned towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?
Why such disdain?
Had I ever insulted the critics
without knowing it?
Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways
they couldn't admit to;
embittered that,
unlike my colorful Jemie,
they would always be
dull sons and husbands -
their lives
arrangements
in grey
An engaging ekphrasis, strong & colorful - Bravo!
workshop illustrated for your perusal & consideration. -- Michael (MV)
Who would have thought that
a simple woman
from Paterson lives on
in fame chez Musée d'Orsay?
When the painting was first unveiled
the critics were outraged
as if their own sister
had posed nude in a brothel.
Some wag chirped
her son must have positioned her
that way to avoid gazing
all day at such a stern face. Truth is,
I asked to face off towards a window
just out of view. Of course,
my good ear and my best side
turned towards Jemie.
Why would I want to stare
at the back of a canvas
for hours, day after day?
Why such disdain?
Had I ever insulted the critics
without knowing it?
Or maybe this palette
touched them in ways
they couldn't admit to;
embittered that,
unlike my colorful Jemie,
they would always be
dull sons and husbands -
their lives
arrangements
in grey
-
- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Whistler's Mother
Thanks, Michael, especially for the time to make suggestions. Bob
Re: Whistler's Mother
Great poem and I like the little changes MV proposed.
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- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Whistler's Mother
You’re right. They’re good suggestions... I will take advantage... thx, Billy, for confirmation
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- Posts: 2688
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Whistler's Mother
Tweaked S3...thx, Michael