Friday, January 10, 2014

The John Singer Sargent haiku

John Singer Sargent, White Dresses (1911)
Two women slain in
battle? No – white dresses in
peace on parched grass...

– Leonard Blumfeld (© 2014)

Note
When I first glimpsed this painting, my initial flash was that it represented an after-battle scene – bodies strewn on the ground, limbs sticking up.
The first real haiku I've written in a while ... with that sudden flash of recognition in the second half.

9 comments:

rallentanda said...

They look like two giant pillow cases stretched out on the grass...I thought your battle scene reaction was rather hilarious..but then again I have a strange sense of humour:)

Brian Miller said...

nice ask and answer and i can see why...my first view as well was that they were the victims of something...glad they are just at peace.

Stormcat Poetry said...

I liked your interpretation especially the juxtaposition of opposites (peace-war)(White-brown)

Scarlet said...

I like the tercet ~ Its my impression too ~

alan1704 said...

parched grass and white peace - nice picture and the colours of grief? nicely done

gila_mon said...

love that picture, if only I could be so beautifully slain

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Perfect haiku...."peace on parched grass". Well done.

Susan said...

Like it. In Sargent I always find the double vision.

World So Wide said...

Thank you all for your visit and comments!