He stares straight through me
half-seraph, angel-dusted anointed son
haloed in the afternoon light
She is turning, as she has, toward me
time and time again, so often her expressions
are blurred, my whirlwind of love
Halcyon moments blown away by the endless
march of years, yet immortalized – in that present
I was reflecting on the sultry, seductive colors
Of Algeria, the hot breath of horses under
an eternal azure sky where we played
at soldiers because my father was at war
With his own inner drive to order, invading
my artistic sensibilities as if they were his
divine right to claim, a legacy perhaps
I went to war to defend my right to express
share impressions in paint with the larger world
to be blown by inspiration’s sweet kiss
on the breezes of an elevated life,
far from the tempests of destruction
the obliterations of time, the blustery bullies
that cannot win in the end.
A tribute to Monet linked to Dverse Poets Pub for the March Wind Ekphrastic. Monet’s father did not want him be an artist and tried to bribe him away from the profession by promising to get him out of mandatory military service. Please join us!
Chromapoetica 
Clever use of Monet’s POV, and it really brings the painting to life. Art in war, or the art of war? Hell, no. No more war!
Bringing history to life … in a beautifully penned poem. Cheers.
I read this and imagine Monet transposing himself into all figures through his art. Very fluid writing.
Very interesting response to the prompt. And nice you shared the note about Monet and his father’s attitude to his wanting to be an artist
Much love…
Anna, so eloquent and beautiful, impacting on numerous levels. Wonderful write! Strongly engaging.
Anna, I love how you weaved the artist journey and vision with the photo. You captured and immortalized the moment. I appreciate the back story as well.
Very insightful take on what might have been on the artist’s mind. Beautiful writing.
Bravo! a joy to read. the lives behind the painting you brought into the light and so they come to life with your words even down to “the hot breath of horses”
An eloquent expression from the artist’s point of view. Imagine all the art that would never had happened if Monet had bowed to his father’s wishes–or if he had been killed in battle.
YUM
My goodness this is breathtakingly beautiful! ❤️❤️
I really like this… and the way you refer to Algeria and war made me think of Putin’s war as a colonial war… as it was with Algeria, I think we both saw something of past (lost) joys in that painting.
May all those blustering bullies be blown over by their own wind! Great fact about Monet, that’s interesting, thank you!
I enjoyed how you told Claude’s story and the of the people in his life…well writ!
Your verse brings hope, inspiration, the importance of justice, of freedom of expression, intricately woven in seamless flow..