A painter without a brush,
that’s what I’d like to be;
a painter without a brush
or any paint:
to paint with words alone
the things I see,
without too much of artifice,
without restraint.
I’m not sure I could paint you
a sunset sky
in poetry,
and anyway
you know the way it goes:
all crimsons, lilacs, pinks,
the softer shades between
of sunset colours you already know.
Perhaps I could paint you
the sad face of a girl
jilted at the aisle, one summer’s day
you’d see a tear run down her cheek
etched like a figurine
upon the cake
uncut and moist as unbaked clay.
It isn’t my skill to paint with words
the landscape,
or the muted contours of a still-life scene:
I paint with words
the life within those forms
within the words
where truth is often heard, though scarcely seen.
© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
Written for dVerse
Laura is hosting Poetics tonight, and has set us a special challenge: write a poem based on the title of a work of art without looking at the artwork first. I love this idea of a reverse-ekphrastic, as I find ekphrastic poetry especially difficult. I therefore used the prompt to put into words my frustrations at trying to write this way. It was not an easy challenge but I certainly enjoyed it. Here is the painting ‘A Painter Without a Brush‘ by Gerhard Richter. My first thought after looking at this? Thank God I didn’t have to write a ekphrastic poem on it!
You are so talented. The title i liked so much. To paint without a brush, this means you need special talents and not everyone can paint without a brush
It isn’t an easy thing to do, for sure, thank you!
Keep continue, please do not deprive us from such great poems and blogs
Thank you 🙏
Most welcome
I love that we are the painter of words, or the wordsmith of sense into sentence.
It’s an enjoyable thing to do!
your poem is poised before the brushwork with all the possibilities of subject and before the choice. I loved these lines especially
“etched like a figurine
upon the cake
uncut and moist as unbaked clay.”
Thank you Laura!
I totally relate to your sentiments about painting the life within forms. I enjoy painting those hidden truths not visible to the naked eye as well. 💖
They’re the best kind!
Very perceptive and such a lovely image, as others have said, of painting without a brush. Yes, words can go beyond the visual in a way that is harder for painters.
Thank you. I think painters can do it if they have enough skill and/or talent. I find it so hard to write about paintings though!
This is incredibly incredibly moving, Ingrid! 💝 Especially love; “I paint with words the life within those forms
within the words where truth is often heard, though scarcely seen.” 🙂
Thanks Sanaa 😊
Intriguing and I love the way you move the painter without brush to painting with words. I am happier to paint with words but some close friends in Spain have been learning from my artist friend this lockdown and have taken up with the brush! Your words carry or paint many emotions in this piece.
I used to paint but never since high school. Nowadays music appeals to me more.
Painting with words. You do this quite well, Ingrid. Well done.
Thank you 🙏
Your poem makes me want to stand up and celebrate art, in all of its many forms. Painters, writers, musicians, creators and the countless others who capture overlooked details and moments, reframing them for others to feel and interpret. 💖 I celebrate your words!
I think there is a common thread which unites us all as artists.
I agree. A priceless and glowing golden thread! 😁 💖
😊
powerful etching of the ghosts of life as you do have great ability to paint it all in words, sunset or pain!
Ekphrastic is so hard though. Painting a painting when the painter has already done it?
may feel like that but we all translate it differently … it adds spice!
You do paint with words, beautifully.
Thank you Helen 😊
i am learning a lot from reading your poems thank you. you paint with your words for sure
Thanks Rog that is a beautiful compliment.
This is some of your best!
You sing.
Thanks Nick: I try!
You really do. Thanks Ingrid!
Ingrid, I think you succeed magnificently at painting with words…photos too! <3 Hope all is well!
Thanks Cheryl, all is well here. I hope you are having a great week ❤️
I love your concluding stanza, and you do it well. The truth is found between the lines.
Always! 🙂
You are a painter of words. Love the colors of the sunset and sadness of the girl. Beautifully done!
Thank you Grace!
I loved your gentle rhyme of your painted poetry
I love the gentle rhyme of your painted poetry ☺️
Thanks Christine! I am having trouble with comments again 🤦🏽♀️ I will keep trying…
Beautiful Ingrid.
“I paint with words
the life within those forms
within the words
where truth is often heard, though scarcely seen.”
xoxo
Thank you Gabriela I am pleased you liked this 🥰
A painter without a brush,
that’s what I’d like to be.
So beautiful words. You have painted it beautifully.❤️
Thank you 🙏
It’s all been said!🙂
Thanks Hobbo!
A pensive poem, Ingirid, and I enjoyed your exploreation of reverse-ekphrasis. That’s what we poets do, paint with words alone. I love the cameo of the jilted girl.
I’m not really sure where she came from! Thanks Kim 😊
You perfectly captured a painter without a brush. The last stanza is spot on.
Painting the life within–that’s just right. (K)
Thank you Kerfe.
This is really good Ingrid! I love the truth that comes from within the scenes! Seldom heard!
This is such a great image:
the sad face of a girl
jilted at the aisle, one summer’s day
you’d see a tear run down her cheek
etched like a figurine
upon the cake
uncut and moist as unbaked clay.
Thank you Dwight: poor girl, I don’t know where she came from! Happy to say it was not me 😅
Ha ha… I am so glad!
Gorgeous, Ingrid, love the soulful music of your words.
Thank you so much Dora 🙏
Brilliant!
Thank you 😊
you definately painted the picture in my mind with your words!
It sure didn’t look difficult reading your words but reverse-ekphrastic in words doesn’t sound appealing but kuddos to you for staying with it! 👏👏👏👏
It’s easier for me than proper ekphrastic! 😅 thanks Cindy!
that’s a good thing and I am just spastic. couldn’t they come up with a better name… lol!
I think this might be the reason we are all here, to share our painting without a brush. Well put.
Thank you 🎨
So gorgeously done. I strive to achieve both views, but it’s so difficult. Maybe painting what’s outside with what’s inside and vice versa is a very good way to go with words, sometimes.
I think if you can achieve that balance it’s a great thing!