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

[Chris Shaw]

Shutting out the light, curtains drawn, dust, lack of interest in her painting and poetry. That dear Neville is what happens when depression sets in and the sun has been blotted out by dark cloud. Of course with unconditional love you love whatever the mood, whatever the season and you would have given her that. I hope she was able to come out of her darkness so not all of your memories are sad ones. Poignant writing.

Chris

[Neville]

You have adopted an interesting take on these words of mine Chris.... something of a role reversal scenario .. I quite like it because it works your way but not as it was originally intended.... maybe your perspective is better, who knows.... x

[Chris Shaw]

Maybe I put myself there, but of course Neville I read it again and it works the other way round as well. And this time I put my youngest grandson in that room (he suffers from depression) and it worked very well. A good read from any point of view. x

[Neville]

You are very, if not too kind.....

[Einstein Noodle]

a pistol packin' momma eh!? why does that not surprise me Neville ;) painting and poetry have an intimate bond ... so many big and smalls do both and bless the world with all that color senses and language ... but my big question is ......when will you post that painting????? you are almost duty bound now to produce it you know :)
E.

[Neville]

Thank you Gene, your visit here is much appreciated as always... between you and me, I am very tempted sometimes to put one of mine up here and just might maybe one day... Hope you are well my brother..... N

[Einstein Noodle]

i think you should...please let me know when you do so i won't miss it :) Ken Simms is notorious for doing that ...he puts them in that box that has an avatar or that tree pic in it....

[lightsong]

hhhhaha Neville my dear sweet friend, my dear sweet friend! Your mom sounds pretty much like my own lol though Your note made me laugh, but not funny at all! I know believe me! I wanted to learn music too, but ohh! NO music! I always tended to the art fields, but ended up into Civil Engineering, and always loved and was good at writing, it's my destiny, I knew it always... Your poem so tender, and for me, it's like a lad's dream whispers gently with the sad evoking tune to our hearts, so lovely, so sweet, even if sad but felt like a fresh breeze... I do hope You are able to paint now dear fiend.

[lightsong]

oh! 4 years ago, thank You for featuring it my friend.

[Neville]

Yes a long time ago but thought the moment was right to give the old words an airing... Thank you so much for the lovely review... and yes, I do occasionally now get the brushes and palette out and dabble.....N

[lightsong]

and the Lad's small dream came alive~ :) so good to know You are painting now.

[Neville]

Yes but only very occasionally these days.....

[lightsong]

maybe one day You would let us see one of Your paintings here :)

[Neville]

Maybe.....

[lightsong]

I hope You are smiling my friend, somehow I can't feel Your smile :)

[Neville]

,,,,,,,,,,, :) is that better.... N

[lightsong]

of course :)

may it never leave Your face.

[Neville]

.............x

[Lyn Anderson]

I picture a person lost in depression, and their creative pursuits having gone by the wayside, and lamentation at the loss of these things. Nicely written.

[Neville]

Thanks 1976 is a long way back & as far as I can remember, this was penned that same year... N