American Gothic

[Tinker]

American Gothic

Look behind the scowl,
beneath the plain clothes.
Look at pride, standing tall
with callused hands holding
honest labor like a scepter.
The no-nonsense facade
of survivors, patiently
enduring.
                   ~~Judi Van Gorder

 

 

"American Gothic" painting by Grant Wood 1930

[Terry A]

A wonderful poem Judi, one that speaks well over time, even without the picture giving it anchor;  to a multitude of circumstances, over-come and survived.

[Tinker]

Thanks Terry.  The painting was the prompt from another site, to write a poem in 8 lines.  Fascinating to see the variations of poems this painting inspired.  The forum gives a daily prompt from a word, an event or a picture and approximately 8 to 10 poets post a poem in 8 lines inspired by that day's prompt.  It is good practice. I have a thread of poems in the Playground, written in 8 lines prompted by that Forum.  But they seem to get lost there, few visit the Playground. Now some of the more frivolous ones (like Who Are They?) I just add a new post in Playground and the ones I think have a little more substance I will be posting in the Showcase.  I can't do it daily but I do check and when I have time and the prompt speaks to me, I try.

~~Judi

[badger11]

Iconic picture Judi. Your interpretation invites the reader to look behind/beneath the 'surface' and guides with carefully weighted empathy to the humanity in the picture. Your respect for the depicted individuals encapsulated in the concluding 'patiently enduring.' Of course, there will be other viewpoints, but you have expressed yours with a clarity and craft that conveys a convincing sense of understanding  their 'pride'.

Bw

Phil

[Terry A]

The genius was in naming the painting-American Gothic.

[David W. Parsley]

The first five lines are particularly poignant and insightful.

Nice, Judi!

 - David