Portrait of a lady with flowers, by Charles-Joseph Natoire‘Art Freezes Time’: A Poem for National Poetry Month by Roy E. Peterson The Society April 16, 2023 Art, Beauty, Poetry 15 Comments . Art Freezes Time Great art freezes time when a painting is hung. An image of beauty eternally young. Who painted the pictures that hang on this wall? I talked to the soul that had painted them all: “So few are you great ones who wielded the brush, Once painting soft hair and sweet face with a blush. The clothes of a queen in angelic soft hues Now frozen in time in the pose that you choose. “A rose in her hand and a smile on her face That’s winsome forever while hanging in space. I could look forever in her lovely eyes. So why don’t you paint me in regal disguise? Then hang me across from her here at the Louvre, Transcending all time having no need to move, Gazing upon her the one I adore, Frozen flamboyantly forevermore. . . LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 5,000 poems in 78 of his 101 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 15 Responses Brian A Yapko April 16, 2023 This wonderful poem is fascinating, Roy, in its choice of “the soul that had painted them all” as the one to whom the poem is addressed. At first, I thought that this referred to a single painter. But you make that artist ambiguous and, in re-reading the work, I now see him as a universal soul acting through all of the great painters, connecting them — perhaps making them parts of a greater whole. This sounds somewhat like the Holy Spirit (though I may be reading that into your work) or even a universal muse. Assuming I haven’t misread it — the concept is wonderful. And either way, the poem’s imagery is quite beautiful! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 You provide great insight into my meanings. They are indeed open to the imagination of the reader. Thank you for the wonderful comments. They are greatly appreciated! Reply Cynthia Erlandson April 16, 2023 A great idea, Roy. Your first two lines reminded me of Oscar Wilde’s intriguing and memorable novel, “The picture of Dorian Gray”, in which the model stays forever young but the painting actually ages. The painting of the queen “Now frozen in time in the pose that you choose”, paired with the idea of a painting of (the poet, I think?) hanging across from her so he could see her forever, seems to work very well to make the poem itself a fascinating picture! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 Ah, thank you for reminding me of one of the great old movies, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” The title is intended to apply to all artwork. When I began writing the poem, I indeed was focused on myself as the poet hanging across from the beauty in the painting. What a neat final thought–“to make the poem itself a fascinating picture.” Reply Russel Winick April 16, 2023 Roy, I take it as a sweet love poem, for which I always have an appetite. Thank you for sharing this. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 That is a perfect perspective! Thank you so much, Russel! Reply Margaret Coats April 16, 2023 Lovely puzzle poem, Roy! My own interpretation is based on your admitting that you at first wanted to be the poet disguised as a king, in a portrait hanging across a Louvre gallery from an “image of beauty eternally young.” The poet-speaker addresses the artist who painted that image and other pictures on the same wall. But he immediately decides to include all of the “few great ones” capable of such work, and asks that one of them paint him. A single gallery often has works of several artists of similar style, and appealing to a few others may give him a better chance of achieving the placement he wants. And he wants something a little different from the adored lady’s portrait. She’s young and beautiful, queen and angel. He wants to be “frozen flamboyantly.” The meter and the wording are splendid; they do paint something of the desired picture by showing the speaker’s taste. But I had other thoughts, like those of Brian Yapko, when I first read the poem earlier today. Was the soul addressed the universal soul of all great painters, or was it a muse or spirit of painters? I couldn’t make sense of those possibilities from the words of the poem (without your hint), but I did recall a story told me by a woman who had wished to be a painter, but with home and family responsibilities had little time and little space to work and precious little money to spend on art materials. She was about to retire to a place that promised no better, and sobbing, she told me about a dream she had. In it she regretted having made poor use of talents God had given her, when Jesus appeared and said, “Come, let me show you the pictures you and I have painted.” There were some she knew had been in her mind, but many more that surprised her. But as you can imagine, the dream gallery tour consoled her immensely. You seem to have something to say about that kind of dream, Roy. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 That is a beautiful story about the poor artist, Margaret, that touched me deeply. After I began this poem, I began making changes that I hoped would affect multiple levels of perceptions as I came to envision them. You have deciphered them along with Brian. Thank you for sharing these precious comments. Reply Cheryl Corey April 16, 2023 You’re so correct, Roy. Great art does freeze time, and I never would have learned of Natoire, were it not for SCP. Where are the painters of beauty today? Do they even exist? Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 I was so gratified when Evan selected the painting by Natoire for the graphic. I love this painting so much more than the Mona Lisa! You ask a great question about the painters of beauty today! Thank you, Cheryl, for your thoughts. Reply Norma Pain April 16, 2023 The title of your poem is perfect and so true. Thank you for this beautiful poem Roy. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 I appreciate your comments, Norma. Thank you. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant April 16, 2023 Ah! To be frozen in time to gaze upon eternal youth and beauty – a poet’s dream come true. “A rose in her hand and a smile on her face /That’s winsome forever while hanging in space” sings of timeless gorgeousness. Roy, you have captured the very essence of fine art in the linguistic visions you paint… images that glow with the magnificence of an alluring queen on the wall of the Louvre… is that a smitten poet I see musing in the portrait opposite? 😉 Wonderful! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 That would be me! LOL. Bless you for your wonderful comments about capturing “the very essence of fine art in the linguistic visions…” That means a lot to me. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 That would be me! LOL. Bless you for your wonderful comments about capturing “the very essence of fine art in the linguistic visions…” That means a lot to me. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Brian A Yapko April 16, 2023 This wonderful poem is fascinating, Roy, in its choice of “the soul that had painted them all” as the one to whom the poem is addressed. At first, I thought that this referred to a single painter. But you make that artist ambiguous and, in re-reading the work, I now see him as a universal soul acting through all of the great painters, connecting them — perhaps making them parts of a greater whole. This sounds somewhat like the Holy Spirit (though I may be reading that into your work) or even a universal muse. Assuming I haven’t misread it — the concept is wonderful. And either way, the poem’s imagery is quite beautiful! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 You provide great insight into my meanings. They are indeed open to the imagination of the reader. Thank you for the wonderful comments. They are greatly appreciated! Reply
Cynthia Erlandson April 16, 2023 A great idea, Roy. Your first two lines reminded me of Oscar Wilde’s intriguing and memorable novel, “The picture of Dorian Gray”, in which the model stays forever young but the painting actually ages. The painting of the queen “Now frozen in time in the pose that you choose”, paired with the idea of a painting of (the poet, I think?) hanging across from her so he could see her forever, seems to work very well to make the poem itself a fascinating picture! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 Ah, thank you for reminding me of one of the great old movies, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” The title is intended to apply to all artwork. When I began writing the poem, I indeed was focused on myself as the poet hanging across from the beauty in the painting. What a neat final thought–“to make the poem itself a fascinating picture.” Reply
Russel Winick April 16, 2023 Roy, I take it as a sweet love poem, for which I always have an appetite. Thank you for sharing this. Reply
Margaret Coats April 16, 2023 Lovely puzzle poem, Roy! My own interpretation is based on your admitting that you at first wanted to be the poet disguised as a king, in a portrait hanging across a Louvre gallery from an “image of beauty eternally young.” The poet-speaker addresses the artist who painted that image and other pictures on the same wall. But he immediately decides to include all of the “few great ones” capable of such work, and asks that one of them paint him. A single gallery often has works of several artists of similar style, and appealing to a few others may give him a better chance of achieving the placement he wants. And he wants something a little different from the adored lady’s portrait. She’s young and beautiful, queen and angel. He wants to be “frozen flamboyantly.” The meter and the wording are splendid; they do paint something of the desired picture by showing the speaker’s taste. But I had other thoughts, like those of Brian Yapko, when I first read the poem earlier today. Was the soul addressed the universal soul of all great painters, or was it a muse or spirit of painters? I couldn’t make sense of those possibilities from the words of the poem (without your hint), but I did recall a story told me by a woman who had wished to be a painter, but with home and family responsibilities had little time and little space to work and precious little money to spend on art materials. She was about to retire to a place that promised no better, and sobbing, she told me about a dream she had. In it she regretted having made poor use of talents God had given her, when Jesus appeared and said, “Come, let me show you the pictures you and I have painted.” There were some she knew had been in her mind, but many more that surprised her. But as you can imagine, the dream gallery tour consoled her immensely. You seem to have something to say about that kind of dream, Roy. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 16, 2023 That is a beautiful story about the poor artist, Margaret, that touched me deeply. After I began this poem, I began making changes that I hoped would affect multiple levels of perceptions as I came to envision them. You have deciphered them along with Brian. Thank you for sharing these precious comments. Reply
Cheryl Corey April 16, 2023 You’re so correct, Roy. Great art does freeze time, and I never would have learned of Natoire, were it not for SCP. Where are the painters of beauty today? Do they even exist? Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 I was so gratified when Evan selected the painting by Natoire for the graphic. I love this painting so much more than the Mona Lisa! You ask a great question about the painters of beauty today! Thank you, Cheryl, for your thoughts. Reply
Norma Pain April 16, 2023 The title of your poem is perfect and so true. Thank you for this beautiful poem Roy. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant April 16, 2023 Ah! To be frozen in time to gaze upon eternal youth and beauty – a poet’s dream come true. “A rose in her hand and a smile on her face /That’s winsome forever while hanging in space” sings of timeless gorgeousness. Roy, you have captured the very essence of fine art in the linguistic visions you paint… images that glow with the magnificence of an alluring queen on the wall of the Louvre… is that a smitten poet I see musing in the portrait opposite? 😉 Wonderful! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 That would be me! LOL. Bless you for your wonderful comments about capturing “the very essence of fine art in the linguistic visions…” That means a lot to me. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 17, 2023 That would be me! LOL. Bless you for your wonderful comments about capturing “the very essence of fine art in the linguistic visions…” That means a lot to me. Reply
