by Tina Barry
You wear your heat like another layer of embroidered finery. It has scent, your heat, of jonquils and lime, of spices seared in a hot black pan. On your face blooms a flush of scarlet poppies. Oh, Frida, that face. Who would dare to paint that face? Half woman, half man, a nimbus of eyebrow, your moustache drawn on hair by hair. And eyes—two inky holes sucking in light--daring the viewer to laugh. Scarlet, again, on your mouth. Corners turned down. You could lay those lips on the monkey guarding you, a part of you, twined together, its pelt your hair, paws enormous as a man's hands. In a moment you'll turn your head, and it, too, will turn its head, sensing your desire, the kiss.
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"Frida....", based on a painting by Frida Kahlo, is my first prose poem. It's included in the spring 2011 issue of The Prose-Poem Project, www.prose-poems.com.
Fabulous. Great choice of subject; powerful poetic prose. BIG fav!
Thanks Jack. I'm glad you're a Frida fan.
I always feel it's a risky business, writing about powerful art or music which has such presence. But this piece especially with "jonquils and lime, of spices seared in a hot black pan" and the anticipation of a strange kiss make me re-feel the painting.
Thanks Carol.
I remember reading about Frida when I first moved to the West Coast (1980s) and was drawn into her mystique. I love what you have done with this, the relationship with the painting, subject matter and the icon. Your words are poetically sublime. FAVE! *
Wow, Robert. "Poetically sublime." I couldn't ask for higher praise. Thank you!
A good piece, Tina - "And eyes—two inky holes sucking in light--daring the viewer to laugh." Nice work.
Thanks Sam!
lots to love here, and you evoke frida's work with your voice. 'nimbus of eyebrow' -- perfect! peace *
I have always been in love with the strange beauty that followed Frida Kahlo, her-work, her-life, her-self. This thoughtful piece brings it all home for me.
Kahlo fascinates me too, James. I'm glad you could feel her in my poem. And thanks for the star!
Linda--Thanks. Glad you like "nimbus of eyebrow," and thanks for the star!
This is a fabulous poem, just adore it, you captured the "essence" of Frida as if you were painting her.
Wonderful with the monkey--
*
Wow. The images, the colors, the words. Nice. Very, very nice.
Thanks, Michael, I appreciate the kind words.
I love Kahlo, and this definitely speaks to the feelings that painting evokes.
Lovely, evocative tribute to Frida. Who doesn't kiss their pets!
Thanks Angela and Katie.
I love Frida Kahlo's work. Sad to think I only became aware of it because I have a huge crush on Salma. This hums beautifully.
Sheldon! I had forgotten about this one. Thanks for digging it up and for the kind words. Glad you're back at Fictionaut!