The painting was a gift,
the kind you don't want
but have to accept with manufactured grace.
It's not the first such lovely
that I've had forced down my throat,
but it rankles more than most;
its mandatory display a knife
that never stops twisting.
And, there it hangs.
A loud declaration of wealth and taste.
A scream of influence and importance.
A nagging, insistent clamor for admiration and acclaim.
A demand for submission and gratitude.
I avert my gaze out of spite
and picture a wall
blank and mine.
44 comments:
Cool write MZ, love the inspiration the prompt gave you, really cool . Thanks
Even a velvet Elvis would be an improvement!
SHould I conclude you don't really like it. Never mind. I like your dislike very much. Great Mag.
"manufactured grace" -- love it!
I love the flavor of this, and yes, i want a wall blank and mine.
perfect.
yep...there are def. gifts you don't wanna hang on your wall... great metaphor in this as well mz
Gotta love those gifts (for awhile at least, then slide it under the couch).
http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/dont-feed-maps-to-the-goats/
I'm glad now I let my wife pick out all her jewelry. Ego sure casts a long stinky shadow. - Brendan
demanding submission and gratitude -> sounds like a bad boy friend
I have a boxful--Loved "manufactured grace"---
@AudreyHowitt
ha! do I have horrid taste for liking the painting? (don't answer that)
ah, someone else with my love of abstract art.
i like what you did and the way you done it! imaginative and tough... what else :)
As usual, you write with a profound wisdom but also with your writing attached firmly attached to your heart. And, of course, it's great.
Have you considered painting over it, and just displaying the frame?
Nice....a wall that's blank but yours...wise words.
Very 'finished' no loose ends here, and it finishes with such absolute finality. Why is it that the painful things can cause such terrific expression. Fine writing.
Great write...I love the ending..I avert my gaze out of spite and picture a wall blank and mine...A loud exclamation point spoken in verse!
ugh...you know...might be one to accidentally let the kids play with so you have a good reason to get that blank wall...smiles...def felt this one MZ
Yuck!! to the picture, hooray for your words! Yep, felt this one, too, MZ!
Sylvia
This made me laugh because I know the feeling. Someone did give me something and I had to pretend I was ok with it. It was a large designer candle of some sort. I don't know -- I just don't get it (that gift).
Thanks for the chuckle.
Oh, you met my mother-in-law?
A Kandinsky's just fine in the Art Museum, but I wouldn't want to live with it--just insuring it would bankrupt you...insult to injury.
Can't help but to love it.
Yep, there are some things that just shouldn't be hung on a wall...
Those gifts can cause rifts, I just say the cat ate it..lol
"The painting was a gift,
the kind you don't want
but have to accept with manufactured grace."
Ewwww... hate those gifts LOL
But your dislike is very well done :D
Let's hope the gift giver lives far away, the painting can be stored in the attic ... brought out only when necessary. Nice Mag, Mama.
Art does havevthat imposing ability to take as much away as it gives. Such gifts, as you say, are perhaps best left ungiven.
This is perfect! It certainly is a harsh painting, so much so that I couldn't even find a way to write for the prompt, but you did it masterfully.
Eek. I love Kandinsky! And I think I'd be pretty thrilled to have one. (Though this particular one is not my favorite, he is one of my favorite painters.)
So though I very much understand the sentiment behind the poem, disagree with it for this painting!
I'd suggest you give him another chance, but I don't want to be like the donor in your poem.
K.
You make me want to print this poem on the back of the painting and hang it on your wall... your wall... poetry side out! =)Very well done.
love "manufactured grace" I've had to fake it a time or two myself.
Great - but maybe there could have been a more suitable wall, some other room in the house?
I would prefer a blank wall too!
Anna :o]
you put my feelings into words. I think I need to copy this and paint it on canvas for the next art show I attend. :)
I know how it feels to be forced to possess something you do not like...strong words here, loved it.
Your poem brings out a face in the painting, a somewhat appalled one -- one eye is the bull's eye with black spray, one eye is the red dot, and then there's a stripy arm flung over it to look and not look at the same time.
The imposition of taste and style are like a twist of the knife. I like your response.
Good, strong "voice" to this - again, effective, cut-to-the-quick work.
"I avert my gaze out of spite
and picture a wall
blank and mine."
Amen!
All the best intentions in the world and all we want is something to call our own and decorate with personal taste, even if that means blank.
~Shawna
http://rosemarymint.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/the-studio/
ohhh, that is so very very good!!!!.... the best!!!
Excellent Mdm Zen
I've been trying to see your blog for a few weeks and for some reaon have not bee able to get through some firewall or other - pleased to finally be back.
Best wishes Isabel x
Nice twist on the prompt. "A wall /blank and mine." Yes. (though I like the painting, personally) Great write.
I like that you are the only one so far that I read that wrote anyting negative, maybe this is poetry not necessarly an opinion piece, about the painting.
This painting reminds me of the ceiling of the paris opera house and how I felt after walking through that beautiful place then seeing what chagall painted in there.....
http://wanderwithoutbeinglost.blogspot.com/2012/01/today.html?showComment=1328350191444#c768552631479068314
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