Ashes & Brimstone ~ Inspired by the Art Work of Chuck Close

Today at Friday Poetically with Brian Miller, artist Chuck Close is featured.  Brian has done a fantastic job at sharing Chuck's story, and has called on the fans of Onestoppoetry to post pieces inspired by his work, his struggle, and his example.  He is a man who has overcome amazing obstacles to keep producing his amazing works of art, and I urge you to visit him to learn more of this awe~inspiring artist and his work.

Ashes & Brimstone

Out of the eternal flame
A single spark awakens
And in the moment
For the first time separate,
SELF is recognized
And though the light will dim
Even as dust in darkness
The ash will still carry the memory
Of that light...that warmth
And in that moment of recollection
What is now separate
Will awaken to the realization
That separate
Does not mean whole.

Out of the brimstone
Another flame is thrown
And in the the company of another
The magick that is breath begins to burn
Igniting through the collected union
An army is risen out of the ash
Swirling, colliding, combining
A battalion of color, of shape and of form
From a distance, a Nemeses
Whole, complete
Soldier of the solid
Who knows no equal

But the sparks know
And in their awareness of SELF
The illusion of their survival
Rests upon their respect of the whole
And in each and every individual
That completes the soldier
And thus completes
The portrait.


Chuck Close


Comments

Pat Hatt said…
Went to the onestop way and visited as you say
Really overcame the odds and kept on going
Whether rain, shine or umm snowing
And your words validate his work that much more
As they aren't a bore
Deserve an encore
Won't make you snore
May open a new door
And as always provide another great read at your shore
Margaret said…
..."The ash will still carry the memory
Of that light...that warmth" AND the whole last paragraph. Wow.

The whole poem is moving and wonderfully expressed. Thank you.
Brian Miller said…
wow...fabulous word play tash...the imagery of the army rising is nice as well...got a good beat to it, want to hear it...seperate, self (early on) is good alliteration to set the pace...you captured this very well...and i chose the same pic!
Tashtoo said…
@Brian...great minds my friend! :) Fantastic Friday Poetically today...still looking through the volumes of images to be found...almost unbelievable to imagine creating a piece in such a manner. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful artist with us!
Anonymous said…
I felt strength while reading your poem thank you.
Unknown said…
wonderful as usual you rise and conquer every challenge superbly ...thank you so much for sharing
Victoria said…
Enjoyed this, especially considering the numerous self-portraits that Close has done. Very nice reflection.
Louise said…
Awesome poem Tash...goes wonderfully with the picture. These words 'What is now separate
Will awaken to the realization
That separate
Does not mean whole.' really speak to me...wish I'd written that! :)
Mark Kerstetter said…
I like the phrase "soldier of the solid", and the sense of humanity as a whole, in a sense a single organism - that is, if I read you correctly.

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