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Rattler

—inspired by Master Bedroom, Andrew Wyeth, 1965

The walls and windows unadorned, the bed
kept neatly made, the blanket smooth as cream,
two feather pillows, perfect for his head
to rest against, eyes closed so he can dream,

an empty saucer on the window’s sill,
a lonesome pine framed by nine clear glass panes,
four bedposts, wooden sentries, statue still,
maintaining silent watch as daylight wanes,

young Rattler sleeps, content with solitude,
the blanket’s warmth, the pillow’s gentle touch,
his master gone. Some time apart is good.
A quiet afternoon seems not too much.

The sketch comes quick, the watercolors slow,
the dreams kept secret, only his to know.

.

.

Carl Kinsky is a country lawyer living in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

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14 Responses

  1. Mark Stellinga

    Excellent sonnet, Carl – I could clearly envision the image without seeing the painting, but, like you, can only wonder what old Rattler is dreaming about. Wonderful 1st-piece-of-the-day on SCP.

    Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    This ekphrastic poem is a perfect example of pondering an artwork and putting into words in vivid detail what it means to an observer. Nicely done.

    Reply
  3. Julian D. Woodruff

    Thank you, Mr. Kinsky. Well done response to the work of a master.

    Reply
    • D.R. Rainbolt

      Wow. I love the vivid imagery of “sentries statue still”, and of the window as a frame for the pine. Your rhymes are subtle and avoid distracting the reader from the poem’s flow.

      Nicely done. A great example of art inspiring art.

      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  4. Shamik Banerjee

    Almost everything in the artwork got a place in this skillfully-made sonnet. Well done, Carl!

    Reply
  6. T. M. Moore

    Very fine poem expounding one of my favorite Wyeth paintings. You could write another on a totally different Rattler in the painting, “Distant Thunder”, where he is on the alert for trouble.

    Reply
    • Carl Kinsky

      Thanks to you and others. Thanks for the referral. I am working on a sonnet based on Distant Thunder.

      Reply
  8. Cheryl A Corey

    “blanket smooth as cream” is nice imagery for the soothing atmosphere of the bedroom.

    Reply
  10. Martin Elster

    Hi Carl. I enjoyed your ekphrastic sonnet very much. That dog obviously doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety! I love the vivid details throughout your poem.
    Best,
    Martin

    Reply
  11. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    The linguistic painting adds a depth and beauty to the visual treat – lovely!

    Reply
  12. Carl Kinsky

    Thanks to you and others. Thanks for the referral. I am working on a sonnet based on Distant Thunder.

    Reply

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