Even if I go under in the attempt
this I know:
I have a definite belief as regards art.
The great doesn’t happen through impulse alone.
If one is competent in one thing
one can learn rhythm in other areas.
It’s the succession of little
things
events
even if we’re tired, we go on –
because we’ve already gone a long way.
You may not always be able to say what confines you.
And the Prison is sometimes called mistrust.
If it were that easy
one wouldn’t have any pleasure of it.
That is all I seek:
always something other than heroism.
I try not to forget how to jest.
Based on the Selected Letters of Vincent Van Gogh. The picture above is one of a series of pictorial prompts on the theme of ‘Arrangements’ from dVerse Poets Pub. The colours reminded me so much of Van Gogh’s palette. Plus, I tend to be a stickler for a tidy desk arranged just so before I can start writing…
findingtimetowrite 
It’s the succession of little
things
I love these lines. So true in art and in life. Great poem on creativity and the effort involved in making art.
Sometimes I feel Van Gogh had it all sussed out in terms of creativity – not that it helped him in life, although it did in his art.
Oh I do love the sense of carry a rhythm from one area to another… there is great hope in that… neither heroism nor adaptation, but ways to grow.
Very organic and rooted in nature, isn’t it?
I think it is… sometimes we forget that we are organic too.
Yes, its the little things and thoughts of care that go into a good art work ~ Impulse is not enough to sustain; craft must be honed time and time again ~ Thanks for joining us Marina ~
Absolutely – it’s the boring everyday isn’t it, practice and routine form the backbone of inspiration!
oh woow. such a deep and truthful poem. love these lines:
“even if we’re tired, we go on –
because we’ve already gone a long way”
…”and the prison is sometimes called mistrust”…..great line. I also saw art and color in the photographs, how one puts so much of one’s self into the art.
I really like the focus on perseverance and on having faith in oneself, Marina Sofia. You chose such an interesting form to express yourself, too. Beautifully done!
I loved your piece. Van Gogh was a hero for me.
“You may not always be able to say what confines you/and the Prison is sometimes called mistrust” – LOVE these lines.
Ah, I can’t take full credit for them, as they are almost word-for-word Van Gogh’s lines from his letters, I just played around with them.
But I love that! I love the way they’re arranged. Found poetry is one of my favourite poetry genres anyway 🙂
It’s a great way to get the poetic juices flowing again, you always find something new and unexpected and then start writing your own poetry.
I like this very much.
Mistrust IS a prison. Well done.
It’s like writing. The art is the attempt and doing, sometimes over and over again and trusting in your instincts.
But instincts can be quite tricky creatures at times…
Yes these colors are definitely Van Gogh’s pallette. You did an amazing job with this found poem. I love Van Gogh and his art but even more, I love his words. You oicked an amazing selection from his letters
I kept highlighting certain passages, it feels like he really speaks to the modern artist/writer/creator.
Yes, it truly does.
such an amazing erasure piece. i always find erasure poetry so riveting….what better material to use than that of Van Gogh!
For a long time I didn’t think ‘found’ poetry or ‘erasure’ poetry qualified as the real thing, but then I realised how much I enjoyed reading it when others did it, so I’m a convert now.
A stunning juxtaposition of Van Gogh’s words, Blinco’s image, & the color palette they shared. I seems to be bumping into several folks out here who are borderline OCD, & this tidiness & control prepare them for their artistic endeavor. Yet, out of chaos near perfection can be achieved (from my perspective). my desks are laden with piles of paper, & it all makes some kind of sense to me, adheres to some kind of internal nuance of order. Bt at other times I do need to organize & arrange things to expedite their use. Someone in comments mentions joy–wow, yes, without the inner joy that writing a poem, or snapping an image provides, the work/creativity would become a hollow leaden–eyed experience.
Ha, ha, yes, I was surprised at how many fellow ‘tidy addicts’ there were amongst us! Mind you, there are times when it’s all messy abandon – and that’s what makes life interesting and creative tension really powerful (to me at least). You are so right!
How wonderful that you used Van Gogh–he has such appeal for me–his life as well as his work. And then there’s the tidy desk thing. But you already read my take on that!
I love your re-arrangement and the source of your inspiration.
Breaking out of that prison of mistrust is liberating for art, mind and soul!
“Even if we’re tired we go on because we’ve already gone a long way”… thanks, I’m kinda tired today but your poem (and colorful image) perks me up!
Love the line “the prison is sometimes called mistrust. So very true!
It’s a great line, isn’t it (I can take the praise without sound arrogant, because it’s Van Gogh who wrote it).
Greats write and read on the complexities and discipline of art.