Jingle’s Poetry Rally–Week 31 “Warhol”


 Maybe Andy was on
to something.
One-after-another
screen-printed cans—
Campbell’s soup:
red and white,
silver and gray,
navy blue with a gold seal.
An icon of comfort in
the midst of so much dismay.
Tomato, Chicken Noodle,
Split Pea,
Bean with Bacon, Pepper Pot.
Mother’s Milk, Mother’s Comfort.
Bring it on.

Did you ever stop?
Really look at art?
I mean art in a grocery store?
“Wake up!”
Andy would say.
“Look.
Listen closely.”

I pick up a navel orange.
Its dimpled skin
leaves a scent-mark
on my fingers.

“If you want to know me,
look at my art.”

“I’m a deeply superficial person.”

So I stare at him,
but he doesn’t glance back.
Eyes drifting to some
far-away place where
wholeness waits,
or to a party where
touching never held room
for emptiness.
The pull of gravity so great
the Mass collapses in
on itself,
Black Hole. Black Whole.

All that sparkles is
not diamond dust.
Even that wouldn’t adhere.
Your world
became glittered in so
much plastic.

Redemption plays in
pink and yellow
electric chairs.

Curl up,
snuggle in its lap
and die alone
while the nurse who
was there for you,
wasn’t.

Oh my God,
I am heartily sorry,
hardly,
heartily.
So much pain.
I repeat, I repeat.
Marilyn in
black and gray
and brown,
blue and pink.
We are heartily sorry
who we aren’t,
what we are
and what they made us.

The woman handed
the boy
a piece of dense bread.
“It’s dry,” he said.
“Dunk it in your soup,”
she answered.

Submitted to Jingle’s Poetry Rally; http://thursdaypoetsrallypoetry.wordpress.com  Stop by and enjoy poetry by seasoned and up-coming poets.

32 thoughts on “Jingle’s Poetry Rally–Week 31 “Warhol”

  1. Jingle says:

    Thursday Poets Rally Week 32 (November 4-10)

    how r u?
    Letting you know Poets Rally week 32 is on,
    Drop me your entry if you wish to be part of it.
    Thanks a lot,
    Happy November!
    xxx

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  2. Jingle says:

    The Celebrate Poet of September Award Nomination Announcement

    please vote for fellow posts,
    you are nominated, you win one vote, if you vote for other poets, you win another vote.

    upon join the voting, you win at least a runner up award .
    Thanks for the attention.

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  3. Ms. Peaches says:

    Tho it has taken me to the last day of the week 31 rally to stop by I’m here! and OMG this piece is awesome definitely made me think…do I ever stop and appreciate art? I mean the simple things in life that have become ordinary when they are really extraordinary! thanks for opening my eyes again!

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  4. Thanks for your feedback, Julie. I’ll take a look at the punctuation. The thing with Warhol and pop art (as I understand it) is that he wants to make art accessible to everyone and wants us to see art wherever it is. When I showed the Warhol exhibit at our museum to the school age children I enjoyed challenging them to tell me where they could find art in everyday life, for example, in a grocery story…for example the produce section–how they employ principles of color theory and design–or the end displays. I’m aware that parts of this poem may be inacessible to many who aren’t familiar with Warhol and some of the details of his life.
    I really appreciate your constructive feedback. Victoria

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  5. julielaing says:

    Thanks for your feedback on my rally entry. I must admit, I got a bit lost in yours. I love the beginning, although I wonder if all of the punctuation is necessary? And you had me up through the orange. But perhaps I was to expectant that you would continue in the vein of your lines “Did you ever stop? / Really look at art? / I mean art in a grocery store?” and expand on what you saw in the orange and associations from that.

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  6. jgrow2 says:

    I love this! And that you brought back the tropes that Andy first forged. Wonderful.

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  7. Shawn Bird says:

    I find the penultimate stanza particularly powerful. Also like the nurse line, though having trouble connecting the dots between the stanzas to find the overall message. I think I’ll have to mull on this one for a few days, I think it’s hiding something potent that pondering will reveal.

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  8. kyoichi says:

    4 reprints of a face in a square colored in vibrant hues quite different for each face is a remarkable effect made at the time.

    you got a good one right here =]

    -kyogakura

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  9. mairmusic says:

    V.cool word stream starting from Andy– he would like it, as do I!

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  10. B says:

    Kudos to Andy Warhol.
    one of the best on his field.
    Nice treatment Vic.

    Kudos!

    Luv,
    B

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  11. PinkLady says:

    what an interesting piece, victoria! indeed, what have they done to us?

    A Tranquil Soul

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  12. notjeffery says:

    A sublime read!
    Warhol was quite a character, his art blows me away everytime I look at it. The problem I find though is that once it blows you away, you’re never quite sure where you’re going to end up. It’s always somewhere new…

    Peace to you,

    Bleed


    (My entry for the rally)

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  13. The idea was different but still I enjoyed yoiur writning

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  14. tuberider says:

    Hi Victoria, I really enjoyed that poem. I saw Warhol’s soup cans when I went to visit New York. Great stuff.

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  15. Jamie Dedes says:

    Very dear compassion for Andy, Marilyn, and artists for what “we” make of them. Well considered. Well wrought.

    Good Rally contribution. 🙂 Hope you enjoy your visits and visitors.

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  16. Loved your poem, made me think of the book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” Seemed to flow very well, quite enjoyable imagery. Thanks for posting.

    crb.

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  17. souldipper says:

    This poem really touches me. You have taken me down a memory lane of artwork and given me compassion for the artist’s life and soul. Very well done.

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  18. hindawy says:

    Don’t know who Warhol is but nice one 😉

    My entry for week 31

    The Other Side of the Sun

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  19. Interesting piece, good take on Warhol. I find it hard to write on someone and stay artistic.

    Sexy

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  20. Jingle says:

    take your time,
    good luck on your writing project.

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  21. Jingle says:

    a poem in depth, I have to read it twice trying to get you.

    art in reality is different from art in abstract world, but they do connect.

    vivid imagery, you did an awesome job.

    Like

  22. […] October 21, 2010 at 4:02 pm I agree to the seven conditions and submit my poem for the rally. https://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/jingles-poetry-rally-week-31-warhol/ More than likely, I won’t be able to review today but will do it by the weekend at the […]

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