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Red House and Spruce By Edvard Munch

Red House and Spruce by Edvard Munch Snug, in a blue bunting of hibernation, Red cottage In a clearing of indigo and ice spruce That form ribs of protection from From hues of ill winds, As a leafless birch backbone Spreads a protective circle, Sentinels of secrets Behind the hidden crimson door When eventide’s crystal constellations Of fallen cerulean white snows Sleep in solitude As Aurora lingers above ash and aspen In glowing neon passion values Sheltered scarlet hearth and heart Slumbers in tones of a Nordic cradle song And winsome memories of a mountain king In snowfall’s language of winter Of painted cobalt shadows Surrounding a red house.

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Mark Toney

Date: 7/21/2023 10:39:00 PM

Sam, your ekphrasis is beautifully descriptive and I love your use of colors and nature. My favorite: “As Aurora lingers above ash and aspen In glowing neon passion values…” Yes! And “Sheltered scarlet hearth and heart Slumbers in tones of a Nordic cradle song…” adds warmth and a sense of peace. A Fav poem for me. Congrats on your placement in Dilly Daly’s contest.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/25/2023 10:30:00 AM

Hi Mark, I am deeply honored by your fav and by your gracious feedback! Thank you so much! I love ekphrasis as it challenges us to look and see - to observe and muse! I agree with you there is such a sense of peaceful stillness - a sense of anticipation - in this quiet scene. A sense of being cradled, protected. So grateful to you for sharing your thoughts! Blessings of peace to you especially during the heat and humidity of your hot, southern summer!

I Am Anaya

Date: 7/20/2023 2:49:00 PM

The colors red and indigo, Colbalt, crimson used on this 2-dimentional Munch painting-- described with beautiful poetry, Sam. Congratulations on your placement!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/25/2023 10:15:00 AM

Greetings Anaya! Am just now catching up! Thank you for your patience with my slow response and your beautiful feedback! Even though this painting is mainly done in blues, reds and white tones, I loved the contrast between the cold of winter and the warmth of the cottage as I wondered who lived there and the time of day illustrated in the painting. Except for light in the windows, the house could be as cold inside as the evening or morning in which it was set! These musings are part of the fun of writing ekphrasis! Sending you blessings!

Hat Bueckert

Date: 7/16/2023 10:47:00 AM

Beautiful words Sam, great imagery , in snowfalls language of winter, wonderful words :) congrats and well done

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/17/2023 9:34:00 AM

Thank you so much Hat! What a treat to be introduced to Edvard Munch's work - to be challenged to step into the vision of the artist and paint, with words, his enchanting paintings! Hope you are well. Blessings!

John Watt

Date: 7/14/2023 9:30:00 PM

Some beautiful word painting, Sam. It's a lovely work of Munch you chose and your wintry imagery truly does the painting justice. I am particularly fond of "ribs of protection from hues of ill winds", and "Slumbers in tones of a Nordic cradle song". Your "crystal constellations" and mention of Aurora add an extra vibe of Arctic winter chill. "Blue bunting", "birch backbones" and "sheltered scarlet hearth and heart" add some delightful alliterations. Congrats on your walk-off bases-clearing triple! R&Rbro

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/18/2023 11:05:00 AM

Hi John! Your words and astute understanding of both poetry and what lies beneath the surface of a poem always leave me in awe, dear friend! Had such a wonderful experience peering into the heart of this painting then re-painting it with words. One thing I noticed, there is no front door in the painting. I thought perhaps it was hidden behind the trees. Fun to theorize and share thoughts with you! Thank you for your "congrats" R&R Bro! Blessings of cool winds and ocean breezes!

Valsa George

Date: 7/14/2023 8:41:00 PM

Hearty Congratulations Sam, on your well deserved win in the contest. Your reply to my comment gave my further insights into your poem. Enjoyed the comparison of the house surrounded by trees to the heart being protected by the ribcage. Stay blessed sweet friend.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/18/2023 10:59:00 AM

Dearest Valsa! So grateful for your message of congratulations. It struck me the very first time I looked at this painting that the house was the heart of the picture, surrounded and protected. I am so happy that I could share this vision with you. Sending you warm blessings of the heart, sweet friend!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 7/14/2023 7:16:00 PM

Very picturesque illustration. Congratulations!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/17/2023 9:30:00 AM

Thank you so much Chris. It was a an engaging experience to look deeply into this beautiful painting - like coming home from a long winter afternoon walk! Blessings to you!

Lonna Blodgett

Date: 7/14/2023 12:42:00 PM

What a visionary experience you have created. Munch would have been tickled by the cerulean blue skies!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/17/2023 9:28:00 AM

Thank you so much Lonna! So grateful for your lovely feedback! I love the way ekphrasis calls us to observe and witness the vision of the artist through their works. Hope you are well. Sending you summer blessings!

Valsa George

Date: 7/5/2023 9:55:00 PM

Sam, you should have mentioned whose painting you are referring to. Even without seeing the painting I can visulalize the scene. A red house surrounded by a slumbering snowy landscape with spruce trees growing giving it protection from the vile winds. I can also see the "crystal constellations Of fallen cerulean white snows". Beautiful replica of the painting in words.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/7/2023 10:40:00 AM

Hi Valsa! Thank you so much for the suggestion. Good idea! Have added the artist's name to the title. I am so happy that these observations on the painting drew you into the scene. I kept thinking that the trees surrounding the house were just like a ribcage surrounding the heart - protectors and guardians. I kept feeling a sense of safety and comfort as I studied the painting. And, I noticed there was no front door on the front of the house. Interesting! Thank you for your beautiful and encouraging feedback. I hope Dilly will like this poem. Blessings to you dear friend!

Joanna Daniel

Date: 7/3/2023 1:35:00 AM

Lovely description of a painting, Sam:) I could picturise it:)

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/5/2023 10:25:00 AM

Thank you so much Jo! What a lovely compliment! I do enjoy writing ekphrasis and I am so glad these words took you into this marvelous winter scene! What a treat to be introduced to Edvard Munch through DD's contest. It was hard to decide which of his wonderful paintings to chose as a foundation for a poem. Hope you are well! Blessings!!