Sunset colors caught on charred walls
counter destruction caused by fire
which licked roof until gone, took all contents
to ash, obliterated collections that marked
history hard fought, savage in its greed,
even consumed tree leaves, this
consumate devourer. Family stood and
stared, imagined causes, calculated
incalculable losses. Then came the colors
reflected in water soaked walls, rainbow colors
marked the promise of covenant but cruel in its contrast
to now; vivid, mesmerizing, surreal catch of color.
This is in response to a prompt from prolific commenter, Brian Miller, over at dVerse Poets who wrote about Poetics: Through the Artist's Lens. The artist is SueAnn of SueAnn's Journey and it's her art above. Check out her other provocative pieces.nAlso posed for Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads on Open Link Monday. Join in.
Wow! To the picture AND the poem. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks DJan. There were lots of fires in NY which seemed strange given the flooding but devastating.
DeleteLife does have so many contrasts....great writing Mary! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd they appear at the most incongruous times.
Deletesmiles...i like the colors and the promise and hope they bring...it is devastating to go through a fire and lose so much...those colors i am sure would mean much in that moment...
ReplyDeleteThat was the idea I wanted to work with, Brian. Good prompt with
Delete...SueAnn's art.
DeleteFascinating how there can be beauty amidst devastation...wonderful poem and picture!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. I liked SueAnn's art and it sparked this.
DeleteAn amazing image and your poetic interpretation is apt given the devastation on the eastern seaboard right now. Intriguing piece.
ReplyDeleteI happen to have been in the states on the storm's outer edge and delayed for two days getting home, so I had an eye full of images, including fires. The loss was heart rending.
Delete... fire, savage in its greed ~~ these words will stay with me.
ReplyDeleteAs I watched the numerous fires in NY, it seemed that way.
DeleteSuch a stark contrast. Horrific and beautiful all together. Like the rainbows after Sandy...
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw the rainbows after Sandy. Sometimes we just need a rainbow.
DeleteI could imagine it all as I read your poem. So sad and the loss but the colour from the rainbow somehow still life in amongst it all. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you stopped by and thanks for your comment.
Deletei like how the rainbow colors come in as a signal of hope right in the middle of destruction..
ReplyDeleteYes and that rainbows are the harbingers of hope.
Delete