Imagine Frida Kahlo at the 7-11,
in that hour before the stars reveal themselves.
She just stands there, checking out
cold rows of Dos Equis in the cooler,
the blistered pizza barely warm,
clicking her red fingernails on a torn Lotto ticket,
glancing out the back window at
a weather-worn, red wheelbarrow on the patio,
bristling with mariposas and frangipani,
barely visible on some warm, summer night.
She would come into that space, trailing incense;
her earrings dangle to her shoulders,
jasmine flowers in her hair.
Her swirling long skirts cover a limp,
her fingers marked with blue and green
and yellow oil paint,
her wide, red lips and dark eyebrows,
dangerous and seditious. Revolutionary.
Her sorrows fall away in jolting lines of color.
WEP/IWSG’s August Challenge asks writers to reflect on William Carlos Williams lovely and short poem, “The Red Wheelbarrow” and see what writing emerges.
I’m remembering that Williams scribbled some of his poems on his way to house calls as he was a doctor. “The Red Wheelbarrow” was written one year before his death. I also learned from Wikipedia that Williams believed that writing poetry was an essential way to understand life. I agree, for the act of writing poetry leads me to observe more specifically and to reflect.
Williams also wished he had painted, admiring his mother’s work. Although many in my family have painted, I’ve always written poetry, though the work and lives of Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo inevitably make me cry.
The wonderful portrait of Frida Kahlo was created by Jane Perkins and is used here by permission. Explore her extraordinary work HERE. And, if you are a Frida-fan, check this out https://hauteculturefashion.com/frida-kahlo-facts/
The wonderful portrait of Frida Kahlo was created by Jane Perkins and is used here by permission. Explore her extraordinary work HERE. And, if you are a Frida-fan, check this out https://hauteculturefashion.com/frida-kahlo-facts/
You may read more about Williams on Wikipedia HERE.
Hard work goes on behind the scenes to make the WEP/IWSG Challenge possible. THANK YOU Denise Covey, Founder/Host. L.G. Keltner - Co-host, Nilanjana Bose, Blurbs/Host, and Olga Godim, Badges. And at IWSG: C. Lee McKenzie, liason IWSG/WEP, Pat Hatt, tweets and promo, Nick Wilford, judge, and Elizabeth Seckman - IWSG Newsletter.
Hard work goes on behind the scenes to make the WEP/IWSG Challenge possible. THANK YOU Denise Covey, Founder/Host. L.G. Keltner - Co-host, Nilanjana Bose, Blurbs/Host, and Olga Godim, Badges. And at IWSG: C. Lee McKenzie, liason IWSG/WEP, Pat Hatt, tweets and promo, Nick Wilford, judge, and Elizabeth Seckman - IWSG Newsletter.
This month's CRITIQUE PRIZE for August 2019 comes from the generosity of
CHRYS FEY who's promised a critique of a First Chapter, Magazine Submission, or WEP Submission.
Why not read what others have written? See GUIDELINES and LINKY below.
CHRYS FEY who's promised a critique of a First Chapter, Magazine Submission, or WEP Submission.
Why not read what others have written? See GUIDELINES and LINKY below.
Your poem captures the importance of color in Frida Kahlo's art perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI never read the blurbs of any challenge (don't want to limit my imagination flight), so I didn't know about that poem until I read your entry. Now I do, and I thank you for that.
Thank you, Olga. I had trouble getting into the image of that red wheelbarrow -- until I read the background on Williams and his poetry . . . which took me to Frida.
DeleteThis is simply glorious. Yay for frida - and for everyone who revells in colour.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Frida's use of color always pulls me into her paintings, another way to admire her accomplishments.
DeleteFragrant - colourful - enticing - a hint of sadness. What a beautiful poem.
ReplyDeletePS I did google Frida, I found the writeup interesting too.
Thank you for visiting and commenting. Part of what draws me to Frida is how much she was able to create in spite of the many tragedies in her life.
DeleteI remember the first time I saw Frida Kahlo's artwork. I was in my early twenties and had to know more about the artist. She was brutally honest about herself, a quality which I appreciate.
ReplyDeleteYes. I also discovered her when I was in my twenties. She's been a lifelong inspiration -- for her creativity and tenacity. 'Brutally honest' says much about her work and her self.
DeleteBeatuiful and evocative imagery! Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Frida Kahlo is an inspiration to many.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully done and I enjoyed reading your poem. I didn't do any of the research about William's life but I do agree that poetry helps a person dig deeply into him or herself and discover the jewels within.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Hello, Pat. Thank you for visiting and commenting. I didn't think I could connect in some way to that red wheelbarrow until I read more about Williams' poem. His love of imagery took me to my favorite painter -- Frida.
DeleteA very clever treatment for this August theme. I enjoyed the poem and the image of Frida at 7-ll choosing her beer carefully.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was fortunate enough to visit the house she shared with Diego Rivera in a small Mexico City neighborhood. A long hallway connected their two workrooms. Truly, I cannot imagine her drinking beer . . . but I love her creativity.
DeleteI loved this so much! I remember learning about Frida in high school. I love the idea of placing someone as creative and fascinating as her in an ordinary place like a 7-11. Great imagery!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Sometimes that chance encounter, that poem we read or painting we noticed so long ago can echo down the years.
DeleteBeth. This is so beautiful. So evocative. I love the way you let the poet inspire you.The color captivated me. Thank you so much for a beautiful entry for RED WHEELBARROW. Your creativity is a thing of beauty too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Sometimes a prompt takes us where we least expect it, sometimes closer to what we love.
DeleteI love, love, love your poem Beth. It's so fabulous and appropriate for those colours in the red wheelbarrow image. A very creative take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I didn't expect such positive responses. What I love about your comment is that connection between colors -- for Frida and something so insignificant as that red wheelbarrow.
DeleteI love your take on the prompt. Could almost imagine Frida strolling through the shelves.
ReplyDeleteHello, Bernadette. That's where the poem came from! Haven't we all stopped by one of those all night convenience stores? My favorite question: What if?
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by to read.
DeleteEven in the mundane, color can show and inspire if one lets it. Great take indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. We lived in Oregon for many years where it rains from late September, nonstop until the spring. I always thought when I became 'older' that I'd wear black as sedately as a proper woman. Hah! The rains taught me that bright colors are more than solace.
DeleteWhat a great poem, evoking the essence of a very artistic lady.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading about Frida. Her art is inspirational, and she was as complicated as her paintings, I guess, as many of us are.
DeleteHi Beth - many congratulations ... I loved the take on Frida - as too Jane's portrait of her. Your story about the 7-11 - so clever ... such an interesting take. I can sense her aroma, her limp, then the visual effect of the colours ... just delightful. All the while the red wheelbarrow is in the background watching on ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary. Sometimes a poem captures us by surprise! I appreciate your positive comments.
DeleteBeautifully captured Beth. The colors in the painting almost leap out of the page. I don't know who Frida is, but I get she was an inspired artist, and seeing someone so revered in a mundane place is kinda awe inspiring. Loved the poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Dolorah. Now I don't remember when I first learned of Frida Kahlo, perhaps in San Francisco in the 1970s. Look up some of her paintings. They are unflinching.
Deletewhat a beautiful and visually evocative poem. thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Cindi. May your own writing inspire you.
DeleteWhat a wonderful, colourful poem. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the vibrant, extraordinary Frida Kahlo with such an ordinary, mundane setting. I particularly like the last line.
ReplyDeleteGlad to meet another Frida fan. I remembered visiting her home in Mexico City many years ago and wondered where she might wander on a warm, summer night.
DeleteA simple but, vivid poem that captures the image in a superb manner. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Christopher.
DeleteWhat a lovely and colorful tribute to Frida. I write poetry and I paint; I'm also smart enough to keep it to myself. I admire those who do these two things well enough to share it with others. I share my writing and feel content with that... Still...Oh to be as brave and bold as Frida. Thanks for shairing.
ReplyDeleteHello, Toi. Several in my family paint, but I've always been drawn to writing, though sometimes my fingers itch to draw. I do admire people who create -- whatever the medium. My aunt painted large, colorful abstracts and paired them with poems. We each are bold in our own way. I hope you continue to paint and write.
DeleteEnjoyed your selection. My mother often had the painted fingers. Nice image
ReplyDeleteThank you, Edix. My mother, the Hollywood starlet, also drew and painted. I feel fortunate to have paintings today that she and my aunt once created.
DeleteColourful and creative use of the prompt. Plus, you explored the 'origin' adding more food for our fertile soil and soul.
ReplyDeleteAs for Van Gogh, he has to be my favourite painter - and I've visited most of the Dutch museums with his worj. Sadly, I've failed to explore as much into the inspiringl world of Frida Kahlo - yet.
Hello, Roland. And I wonder what you will think of Frida? We were able to visit the Van Gogh musuem in Amsterdam. I have a hard time separating his work from his suffering -- and much the same for Frida.
DeletePoetry helps in understanding life - can't agree more with that. I like the way your poem captures the smoldering personality of Frida. Loved the closing line especially. Thank you for posting this fab entry for WEP.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nilanjana, for reading and commenting. Whether poetry or art, we still only can catch a glimpse of what is meant and what once was.
Delete