Ballerina in a Death’s Head, 1939 – Salvador Dali

Posted on August 27, 2012 by purplepeninportland

 

 

 

Dream of a ballerina dancing
joyfully in endless beauty,
and adoration.  In a dream
gone mad, she is pale, indoor
skin shadows sadness,
disillusionment.  Vibrant red
flowers piled atop her head
have faded, edges curling
in stiffness.  Her limber, graceful
arms stretch grotesquely,
encompassing the empty eyes
of a death head.  A heart
once full, is rent.  Tattered
is garment’s hem, clutched
into grip of locked zippered
teeth on bulbous cracked
head.  Ballerina has lost
her dream; her hopes
are shot with holes.

 

 

 

 

 

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
This entry was posted in Purple's Home. Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to Ballerina in a Death’s Head, 1939 – Salvador Dali

  1. Norma Ruttan says:
    August 27, 2012 at 2:19 am

    eerie and fascinating!

    Like

  2. Dulcina says:
    August 28, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    A kind of telegraphic poem describing Dali’s painting his way.
    I especially like the idea of grip of locked zippered
    teeth     and the end Ballerina has lost
    her dream; her hopes
    are shot with holes.
    🙂

    Like

  3. CJ says:
    August 31, 2012 at 4:23 am

    This is a wonderful interpretation of Dali’s painting. Such beautiful phrases.

    You might enjoy my rework of one of his paintings in “The Persistence of Salvador Dali” which you can find here:
    http://proartz.blogspot.com/2010/03/awake.html

    Like

Comments are closed.