“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower
The New What’s Going On Blog has set as its theme today "ekphrastic poetry”. I have used one of my paintings, which was inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, but brought up to date as it were, considering the number of wars and conflicts that are raging around the world at the present time. Some of us may be lucky enough to sleep and rest in a country at peace, but we must not forget how many people are living in the hell of combat - sleep and rest being only an unattainable dream…
Starry Night
Heavens are vivid, clear tonight
The golden stars are blazing bright;
We watch transfixed and glorify
The Maker’s grace that gave us sky.
The city sleeps content and still,
As sleeper’s dreams with pleasure fill.
Nightbirds sound the hours’ passing
And distant music sleep trespassing.
Calmness of peace awards us rest
And every child is quiet, blessed.
The moon looks down and sweetly smiles
Surveys the countryside around for miles.
Heaven is burning hot tonight,
Alight with violent fires that smite;
The missiles fall, explode and strike
King, peasant, young and old alike.
The city is embraced by a wild panic
All go to shelters, running manic;
Explosions, screams, war cries resound
Even in cellars deep, far underground.
Fury of battle and warmongers’ folly
Make every soul dire, melancholy;
Ashamed, the moon hides in the clouds
Wrapping herself in smoky shrouds.
Oh, foolish, crazy, deluded human,
Why peace forsake and become inhuman?
Your days are short, so very dear
Why waste them only to live in fear?
The poem is set to music again, and you can find all my music in my “Otidorchestre” channel or listen to it on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, Flo, Pandora, and other music sharing sites. Please note that there is some delay in publication of music on these platforms and generally the fastest publication is on YouTube, however, they will all make the music available within a few days.
Starry Night
Heavens are vivid, clear tonight
The golden stars are blazing bright;
We watch transfixed and glorify
The Maker’s grace that gave us sky.
The city sleeps content and still,
As sleeper’s dreams with pleasure fill.
Nightbirds sound the hours’ passing
And distant music sleep trespassing.
Calmness of peace awards us rest
And every child is quiet, blessed.
The moon looks down and sweetly smiles
Surveys the countryside around for miles.
Heaven is burning hot tonight,
Alight with violent fires that smite;
The missiles fall, explode and strike
King, peasant, young and old alike.
The city is embraced by a wild panic
All go to shelters, running manic;
Explosions, screams, war cries resound
Even in cellars deep, far underground.
Fury of battle and warmongers’ folly
Make every soul dire, melancholy;
Ashamed, the moon hides in the clouds
Wrapping herself in smoky shrouds.
Oh, foolish, crazy, deluded human,
Why peace forsake and become inhuman?
Your days are short, so very dear
Why waste them only to live in fear?
The poem is set to music again, and you can find all my music in my “Otidorchestre” channel or listen to it on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, Flo, Pandora, and other music sharing sites. Please note that there is some delay in publication of music on these platforms and generally the fastest publication is on YouTube, however, they will all make the music available within a few days.
Great words about one of my favourite painters. My favourite line "We watch transfixed and glorify, The Maker’s grace that gave us sky. But did you see One of your paintings? That's fabulous You are a man of many talents Nicholas Wow. I saw many Van Gogh paintings in the Kroller Muller museum when I was in the Netherlands last time. Lucky
ReplyDelete"Ashamed, the moon hides in the clouds
ReplyDeleteWrapping herself in smoky shrouds."
Wow! You capture the peace, and the abrupt transition as war enters the scene. As usual, your music enhances the words, and all together--painting, music, and lyrics--are masterful. Gosh. Thank you for bringing your art here, and thanks for your comment on my poem.
Truly, this made my heart beat faster as I read your stunning poem. First, so very peaceful. Then it changed to reflect the truth of what is going on in the world today. Chilling.
ReplyDelete"Oh, foolish, crazy, deluded human,
Why peace forsake and become inhuman?"
So much inhumanity today!
Oh Nick! You're so talented. Wow! I truly have no words how to appreciate this amazing poem, artwork and your wonderful song set to music! I love the flow of peace in the first part and then woke up, shaken, in the war zone of the poem. And I sighed reading the lines, "Ashamed, the moon hides in the clouds /Wrapping herself in smoky shrouds".
ReplyDeleteNick, your painting is incredible. You are multi-talented, with your art, writing and music. Wow. I think I prefer your painting to Van Gogh's. Smiles. I love "the Maker's grace that gave us sky"!!!! Your poem takes us from the beauty and stillness of night to the horrors of war. Why does humankind do this, indeed? A powerful poem. And then turned into the most amazing song. It is a feast in here today. Your voice is wonderful. I hope you are famous in your part of the world. If not, you should be.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem painting and music. Indeed we are fortunate if we live somewhere without a war on our doorstep. I can't add to the glowing praise you deserve and that everyone else has heaped upon you . The music brought up memories of dancing Kalamatianos at Greek weddings.
ReplyDeleteI love the contrast in your words and the feeling behind them - and yes! a wonderful painting too - Jae
ReplyDelete