Old Man In Sorrow

Posted on June 17, 2021 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  Poets and Storytellers United
Weekly Scribblings #74:  Painted Tales
(posted by Magaly)

"Today’s prompt came to mind after I watched Girl with a Pearl Earring, a movie inspired by a novel which was inspired by a painting… Now, I’m inviting you to choose a painting and write new poetry or prose from the point of view of a character in said painting. Your contribution should include the painting or a link where others can look at it. Significantly rewritten pieces are welcomed."
~ Vincent Van Gogh
I weep on a pillowed chair,
barely warmed by a stingy 
fire.  All members of my
family passed on long
ago.  My circle of friends–
how I miss their laughter
and companionship.  Alas,
I have just said farewell
to my last friend.  Old
age is a blue time
of aches, of loss,
of loneliness.  I weep
for them all, and for myself
for living too long.

https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/

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.
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15 Responses to Old Man In Sorrow

  1. Magaly Guerrero says:
    June 17, 2021 at 2:07 am

    This is so very sad… and true. Your poem and the painting show the despair quite vividly.

    Like

  2. gillena says:
    June 17, 2021 at 4:50 am

    You have captured so well the deep sadness of the artist’s brush.
    Nice one Sara

    Much💛love

    Like

  3. Lisa says:
    June 17, 2021 at 5:52 am

    Oh, how sad, and wonderful a poem.

    Like

  4. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    June 17, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    An absolutely beautiful, albeit very sad, poem perfectly reflecting the painting.

    Like

  5. Rall says:
    June 17, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    Very moving, very sad very true….wonderful poem!

    Like

  6. isaiah46ministries says:
    June 17, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Wonderful capture of his feeling. Lovely but sad. It’s why we need to sacrifice time for our elders.

    Like

  7. SelmaMartin says:
    June 19, 2021 at 1:09 am

    He weeps for himself too— for outliving everyone else. That’s sad indeed and I know he’s not the only one who thinks that.
    Thanks for the poem. Lovely.

    Like

  8. Beverly Crawford says:
    June 19, 2021 at 6:32 pm

    Your lovely poem hits close to the bone for me. I have outlived nearly all my dear friends, and at times feel the despair pictured here.

    Like

    • purplepeninportland says:
      June 20, 2021 at 12:29 am

      I have lost friends, but what brought this close to home, is my cousin. She passed away a couple of years ago at 85. She never complained about anything, but she did miss her friends.

      Like

Comments are closed.