ABOUT THE POETRY PAINTING PROJECT
We selected 30 poems (from the public domain) and each day for the next 30 days I will write a poem inspired by it, and Addie will paint a painting.
So, without further ado, let’s get to today’s painting and poem, inspired by William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II: Capulet’s Orchard).
To read this poem, click here (or scroll down near the bottom of the page)
ADDIE’S PAINTING
MY POEM
LOVE’S SHRINE
‘Neath a bone black sky, flecked with stars,
by mindful moon I’m only seen,
I hide behind an orchard’s veil,
among the flowering fruit trees.
You I see, a silhouette so fair,
in a yellow casement window,
opened to the midnight air.
Would I expose my wounds to you?
Frailties none to whom I’ve shared?
Or better in the ether roam,
alone in Night’s ocean foam?
In my heart long suffering,
and in my thoughts imagining,
are votive candles—
your soul and mine
that burn forever in Love’s shrine.
OUR INSPIRATION
ROMEO AND JULIET
(from Act II, Scene II: Capulet’s Orchard)
by William Shakespeare
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, ’tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
Notes:
William Shakespeare, 1564-1616. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.
Link to Biography: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/william-shakespeare
Link to Monologue: http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_068.html
ABOUT THE POETRY PAINTING PROJECT
For the past couple of months I have been working on a huge new secret project with my painter, Addie Hirshten, of Studio Alchemy
We selected 30 poems (from the public domain) and each day for the next 30 days I will write a poem inspired by it, and Addie will paint a painting.
Expect an outpouring of creative energy! This is the sort of big project that artists live for … where we can say what we yearn to say. Big picture stuff. Heart wrenching stuff. I feel so inspired by the poetry we are working with AND seeing Addie’s process as well. Expect daily surprises with our posts. Expect passion. Expect love. Expect life.
Check Out Addie’s Instagram Account: www.instagram.com/alchemy.of.art.addie.hirschten/
Check out Addie’s art studio — Studio Alchemy:
studioalchemy.art/
Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.
Brené Brown
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