Ukiyo-e


Ukiyo-e blue is my inspiration.
Lost in cerulean perfection,
    a sky filled by dreams
          and caresses from impish winds,
              implied but not seen.
                 At least by most.

Ukiyo-e red is my inspiration.
My soul engulfed by its fire.
      Scarlet hues dare me
          to be consumed completely
              in a passion of my choosing.
                  If I am brave enough to say yes.

I do not exist without them.
Life, a sad monochrome
without the impudent tints
animating me.

More than lines and colors on paper.
They are muse.

South Wind, Clear Sky (Red Fuji) by Katsushika Hokusai

Song choice: Love Letter to Japan by the Bird and Bee
This poem was created from a prompt offered by Magaly Guerrero for NaPoWriMo (Day 30: Poetry Gone Wild - any topic!)

And with that, I am done with NaPoWriMo! Whew! Thank you to all the brave souls who kept reading! 

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50 comments:

  1. EllaApril 29, 2015 at 10:07 PM

    This is gorgeous! You have painted a glorious vision~ I love your ending!

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 6:07 AM

      Thanks! I'm pleased with it as an ending both for this poem and for this month of poetry. :)

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  2. AnonymousApril 30, 2015 at 1:46 AM

    You can feel the colors by your description, great piece!

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 6:11 AM

      That's very high praise indeed! Thank you :)

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  3. GinaApril 30, 2015 at 2:06 AM

    And on the final day I still learn something new...Always loved this art style and never knew what it was called. Beautiful closing poem :D XXX

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 6:15 AM

      Thank you. It was my pleasure to share a bit of knowledge and my words.

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  4. UnknownApril 30, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    My favorite stanza is the one that starts: " I do not exist without them". I really like "impudent tints". Perfect. :-) This is a really lovely write.

    Thanks for posting all your beautiful poems for 30 days and also for leading me to this land of free expression filled with interesting people. In my regular life, there aren't many writers, poets, or artists. Thanks for inviting me to the party.
    :-)

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 8:33 AM

      Thank you for sharing your words as well. It's been a wonderful trip!

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  5. Debra She Who SeeksApril 30, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    I like ukiyo-e and Hokusai too -- great notes to end on! Congrats on making it through the Challenge! I enjoyed reading all your poems.

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 10:06 AM

      Thanks! I wasn't sure I'd make it some days! LOL

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  6. Sharon RawsonApril 30, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    This life has landed you upon an unfamiliar shore for by your words you show that your eyes are kissed by cherry blossoms, your heart hears drums from other festivals, and your Soul is most at home in a ceremony of tea. I love the writing you do when you show your passion for this culture. I have so enjoyed getting these looks into your talented mind! Thank you!

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 11:11 AM

      *grin* Thank you so much for your kind words

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  7. DebiApril 30, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    Admire and enjoyed each visit to read deeply provoking prose! And excellent music as well! Acceso rises with unique Art! Take your bowe ......applause, applause
    xDebi

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    1. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 11:11 AM

      Aw shucks! Thank you so much for taking the time to read them :)

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  8. hedgewitchApril 30, 2015 at 11:39 AM

    Thanks for the introduction to Ukiyo-e--the floating world--I loved reading about it almost as much as reading your poem, which has a lovely flow, in waves of color and symbol. This makes my sixth April of doing the 30 poems thing, and I can honestly say, this year has been the best--I have had more fun, and enjoyed it more, because of the people I've met along the way, like you. Thanks for your kind words and support, and now---BREAKTIME!!!! ;_)

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  9. RommyApril 30, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    And thank you for your kind words and insightful feedback! The other half of the fun was reading and learning from more seasoned poets. :)

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  10. Magaly GuerreroApril 30, 2015 at 9:45 PM

    I read it once... Then I read it again, closing my eyes after each line... Each line is a chant and makes want to sway; you've contained strong whispers of the wind in your poem, and the colors are a feast. I love that in the last stanza, your speaker shows herself soul-naked... The define her, and she accepts that.

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    1. RommyMay 1, 2015 at 8:49 AM

      I am so glad I was able to convey all that with my words :)

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  11. hedgewitchJune 30, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    A pleasure to revisit this one, Rommy-- even better on a second read."I do not exist without them." Very alive way to put it. (Well, literally so, I guess. ;_) ) Great to see you at the Garden too.

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2015 at 10:46 AM

      Thanks! I've been lurking around and reading the great stuff out that way. I hope to participate more often :)

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  12. Sanaa RizviJune 30, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    Such a delightful read :)

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  13. Kerry O'ConnorJune 30, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    This is a particularly stirring descriptive poem.

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2015 at 10:47 AM

      Thank you. The print really fired something up in me.

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  14. Sherry Blue SkyJune 30, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    "They are muse." So wonderful!

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  15. Sanaa RizviJune 30, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    Thanks for stopping by Rommy :D
    xoxo

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  16. colleenJune 30, 2015 at 1:33 PM

    I like the cool and hot of it, coming together like a peak.

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  17. UnknownJune 30, 2015 at 2:07 PM

    the image you share and the image you create are filled with energetic color. great combination.

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  18. brudbergJune 30, 2015 at 3:08 PM

    Wonders of colors.. To often we are caught between the black and white. Great use of Japanese terms.

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2015 at 10:50 AM

      I am rather fond of Japanese culture. As a student of Urasenke Philadelphia (Philly's tea school based out of Kyoto Japan) I get a lot of exposure to some very nifty stuff.

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  19. JimJune 30, 2015 at 4:44 PM

    Hi Rommy ~~ I can barely imagine a world without colors. For some that is it. Even dogs can't see colored. Your picture find was nice too. I've only been to Tokyo, and then only sat in the airport for about four hours.
    Congratulations too on the NaPoWriMo completion. This was my first year but I finished. I pretty well stayed with Toad Garden prompts, maybe all, I cannot remember.
    ..

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2015 at 10:51 AM

      It was a challenge! But I'm glad I did it. Congrats to you too for completing it!

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  20. rallentandaJune 30, 2015 at 8:12 PM

    Life without colour is a life without heart !

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    1. RommyJuly 2, 2015 at 10:52 AM

      And who would want a life without heart? *grin* I certainly would not! Thanks for stopping by.

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  21. Sanaa RizviMay 13, 2016 at 8:50 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous writing Rommy :D I can feel the vibrant array of colors bouncing joyfully in your words. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  22. debiMay 13, 2016 at 12:16 PM

    "Lost in cerulean perfection
    red...My soul engulfed by its fire."

    Your poem is breath-taking in its descriptions.

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  23. GinaMay 13, 2016 at 2:24 PM

    LOVE! Impish winds and engulfing flames driving out monochromatic melancholy :D XXX

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    1. RommyMay 13, 2016 at 4:23 PM

      Though its an older one, it's one of my favorites. :)

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  24. Jae RoseMay 15, 2016 at 5:37 AM

    Being brave enough to say yes - that is the key to allowing us to love life in colour..and the hardest answer at times - a stunning piece full of colour and yeses

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    1. RommyMay 22, 2016 at 8:32 PM

      The intensity of the colors used in this painting were so bold, I felt they were owed a bold and brave response.

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  25. Old EggMay 16, 2016 at 3:48 AM

    Beautiful and I loved your expression "Impudent tints".

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    1. RommyMay 22, 2016 at 8:32 PM

      Sometimes I come up with some good phrases. :D

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  26. Khaya RonkainenMay 16, 2016 at 9:33 AM

    Lovely piece, descriptive and engaging. And the artwork is charming. Congrats on finishing your NaPoWriMo challenge. :-)

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    1. RommyMay 22, 2016 at 8:32 PM

      Whew! Congrats to you too. You put out some pretty inspiring stuff.

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