Ways of Seeing: Carracci
by Bill Yarrow
I have become interested in Carracci—
Ludovico Carracci, Bolognese
contemporary of Shakespeare
early Baroque artist, cousin
of Agostino and Annibale
whose 1612 painting
Body of Saint Sebastian
Thrown into the Cloaca Maxima
is a masterpiece
of the frozen moment
Sebastian is limp in a sheet supported by
muscular soldiers. His hands hang down,
his eyes are shut. Is he asleep? More likely
unconscious. After all, he is about to be
thrown into the great sewer of Rome
Unless one rotates the image:
then he becomes beautifully
vertical, his dreaming body
like a sleeping bird floating
in warm, soft air
Then the closed fists and flexed
forearms of the executioners
are seen impotently attempting
to hold him down but nothing
human can prevent his rise
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Author's Note
This poem was published in Fulcrum.
It appears in "We All Saw It Coming" (Locofo Chaps 2017) and AGAINST PROMPTS (Lit Fest Press 2018).
Other stories by Bill Yarrow
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So many ekphrastic poems just describe the object. I like that you move from bio to the art. I can feel the interest. *
*
A wonderfully matter-of-fact opening: "I have become interested in..." Good monologue. Much to like here - especially the beauty in this stanza:
"Unless one rotates the image:
then he becomes beautifully
vertical, his dreaming body
like a sleeping bird floating
in warm, soft air"
Strong work, Bill.
Of course I looked up the painting so I could follow through with the fourth stanza...and it's all there, just like you said. Beautiful piece, Bill *
Thank you, John, Jenny, Sam, and Fos!
Studying drawing you're often told to invert a drawing to work on the forms; seeing it so as viewer produces revelation, and the recognition true poetry.
This:
Unless one rotates the image:
then he becomes beautifully
vertical, his dreaming body
like a sleeping bird floating
in warm, soft air
...is lovely as is the piece that brings you to and away.
Thank you, David and Stephen!
Stunning ending. *
Thank you, Beate!
Marvelous piece, Bill, thank you.
Thanks, Edward! Appreciate that very much!
Of all the ways of seeing, perception remains the most revealing look.
Wonderful!
Thanks, Amantine and Dianne!