Before a Painting
James Weldon Johnson
I knew not who had wrought with skill so fine
What I beheld; nor by what laws of art
He had created life and love and heart
On canvas, from mere color, curve and line.
Silent I stood and made no move or sign;
Not with the crowd, but reverently apart;
Nor felt the power my rooted limbs to start,
But mutely gazed upon that face divine.
And over me the sense of beauty fell,
As music over a raptured listener to
The deep-voiced organ breathing out a hymn;
Or as on one who kneels, his beads to tell,
There falls the aureate glory filtered through
The windows in some old cathedral dim.
(This poem is in the public domain.)
~~~~~
The roundup this week is at Check It Out.
9 comments:
Just beautiful!!
I love the comparisons, Karen. Thanks for a beautiful poem.
Lovely, as life is, thanks Karen.
Can’t you just see yourself standing before a painting. How beautiful.
I was just thinking how nice it would be to take a ride into one of the NYC museums to soak up the art. Thanks for sharing this poem.
Stunning! I'm adding "aureate" to my notebook. What a gorgeous word that is and it's perfect in Johnson's poem. Your post lead me down a rabbit hole. I googled Johnson and discovered he was killed when his car was hit by a train in Wiscasset, ME, a place I've spent a great deal of time in. Many thanks for sharing this poem, Karen.
I could picture myself marveling at the masterpiece! Thanks for sharing this thoughtful piece!
Karen, so glorious to read this from James Weldon Johnson. Like Christie, I have an immediate connection as I am researching this giant of a figure who was exemplary in so many fields & just this past week, I read how he & his brother were close & worked together on creative projects, often. I think Bryan Collier illustrated a picture book about JWJ. Am on the lookout for more resources connections, if you come across any interviews or blog . . . I also would be fascinated to know which work of art inspired this poem. I send so many appreciations for your sharing & for your blog. Brava!
What a lovely tribute to the glory and power of art.
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