ERATO'S FRENCH KISS

Out there in the real world,

the redbuds and dogwoods

explode like fireworks

on the side of the mountain.

Purple shrapnel flies out

to mix with dots of white

and the beginnings of green.

I remember now…

Georges Seurat who knew how

drops of paint made

sense and worked

an answer out of nothing, or

Manet and his impression

of Victorine as w***e,

found their muse

smoking a cigarette

and waiting like a lover

out there in the real world.

The world made out of me

before I came along,

and barely notices as I pass

through. My muse who said

this was to be a rant against

Jackson Pollock and his ilk,

tailors in the business

of making new clothes for

the Emperor.

Author's Note

Muses work all day long and then at night get together and dance. (Edgar Degas)

The man who arrives at the doors of artistic creation with none of the madness of the Muses would be convinced that technical ability alone was enough to make an artist... what that man creates by means of reason will pale before the art of inspired beings. (Plato)

Pablo Picasso’s mistress from 1927 to 1935, Marie-Thérèse

Manet painted his muse Victorine Meurent, as a whore.

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between art and the natural world, and the way that artists can find inspiration in the world around them. The opening lines, "Out there in the real world, / the redbuds and dogwoods / explode like fireworks / on the side of the mountain," create a vivid sense of place, and the use of metaphor to describe the natural world as a fireworks display is both beautiful and evocative.

The way you reference Georges Seurat and his use of pointillism, as well as Manet's portrait of Victorine, suggests that you are interested in exploring the way that artists can capture the essence of a moment or a person through their work. The line "found their muse / smoking a cigarette / and waiting like a lover / out there in the real world" is particularly powerful, suggesting that inspiration can come from unexpected places, and that the natural world can be a source of endless inspiration.

Overall, your poem is a beautiful meditation on the relationship between art and the natural world, and the way that artists can use their work to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around them. I appreciate the way you use vivid imagery and metaphor to draw the reader into your world, and the way that your poem celebrates the power of art to capture the essence of the human experience.

[Vol]

Thank you, Bhuyanshi Talukdar,
This is by far the best, most thoughtful review I have ever received. You approach the concept of review as a kind of deconstruction and speak of the style and voice as well as other conventions. You go beyond the all-too-common emotional response which so many take in the mistaken impression that's what poetry is for. You did not mention Jackson Pollock, maybe you feel as I do, that he captured nothing and was quite proud of it. Made a lot of money, though, (the only valid commentary he ever made).
Vol

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

You're welcome! I'm glad that you found my review helpful and insightful. I agree that a good review should go beyond mere emotional responses and delve into the deeper aspects of a work of art. While I may not have mentioned Jackson Pollock specifically, I do think that his work raises interesting questions about the nature of art and what it means to create something that is truly meaningful and impactful. Ultimately, I believe that art is a deeply personal and subjective experience, and that each person will have their own unique interpretation and response to a given work.

[Vol]

Well, you know. The post-moderns like Pollock had at their core the meaninglessness of everything. Like the sound of one hand clapping. or the piano concert in San Fransisco when he never played a note, Yoki Ono's wailings... you can make that statement one time... any second attempt at dribbled paint is immediately redundant and, worse, trite. You buy that "art" because the colors match your decor, not because of any intellectual or even emotional impact.
Vol

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Dear friend,
I can understand your perspective on post-modern art and the idea of meaninglessness. It's true that some artists have used unconventional methods or techniques to challenge traditional notions of art and to provoke thought and discussion.

However, I also believe that art can have a powerful impact on our emotions and our understanding of the world around us. Even if we don't always understand or agree with an artist's message or methods, we can still appreciate the beauty and the creativity of their work.
Ultimately, I think that art is a personal and subjective experience. What speaks to one person may not speak to another, and that's okay. The important thing is to keep an open mind and to be willing to explore different forms of expression.

[Vol]

Of course! Everyone has a personal perspective and an absolute right to whatever it may be. Post modernism, I will always believe from my perspective that it is just a real version of "The Emperor's New Clothes."
Vol

[Ken Simm.]

Hah! I should be thanking you for this beautiful poem my friend.
As Kurt Vonnegut said, "“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”

[Vol]

Ken,
I know, right?
Vol