12.8.10

a poem on thursday : raw with love

This week Madeline Bea provided the prompt "raw".  I ended up using a poem by Charles Bukowski.  I've read quite a bit of his work during the year and I tend to find it a little, well, 'raw'.  He tackles some interesting themes in a pretty confronting manner.  But I decided to take a big breath and use his poem this week - the mixed-media picture used the poem as a springboard.  I played around alot with this picture trying to emphasise the eyes, give it a slightly haunting look and yet still keep it light, romantic and airy.  I'm not completely happy with the final product, but I think I'm getting better.

Raw with Love

little dark girl with
kind eyes
when it comes time to
use the knife
I won't flinch and
I won't blame
you,
as I drive along the shore alone
as the palms wave,
the ugly heavy palms,
as the living does not arrive
as the dead do not leave,
I won't blame you,
instead
I will remember the kisses
our lips raw with love
and how you gave me
everything you had
and how I
offered you what was left of
me,
and I will remember your small room
the feel of you
the light in the window
your records
your books
our morning coffee
our noons our nights
our bodies spilled together
sleeping
the tiny flowing currents
immediate and forever
your leg my leg
your arm my arm
your smile and the warmth
of you
who made me laugh
again.
little dark girl with kind eyes
you have no
knife. the knife is
mine and I won't use it
yet. 
- Charles Bukowski

7 comments:

The Wishful Lamb said...

love this!

Sarah C said...

That's an amazing take on the word and the poem. Absolutely love it x

astitchaday said...

I LOVE Charles Bukowski. He had an amazing way with words. Love the picture too, very well done.

Diana Mieczan said...

That is beautiful,sweetie:)
Happy Thursday:)

Ashley Sisk said...

Beautiful poem and I love your interpretation of the prompt. The picture is beautiful. Are those your eyes?

gibknitty said...

great interpretation of the prompt. very creative.

Maegan Beishline said...

I love all of it! That poem is wonderful and certainly filled with raw emotion! I adore how these poems inspire your art!