More Poems By and About The Silver Nightingale
This poem was inspired by the painting "Near to the Evening" by Ira Rom-Lorenz. It was written in response to a call from the Hannah Kahn Poetry Foundation
to its members to write poems based on paintings in the Ekphrastic Fantastic exhibit by members of the Broward Art Guild. I premiered this poem
to enthusiastic audience response on September 21, 2011 at Gallery 6, Broward County Main Library, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Model
by Laura Sue Wilansky © 2011
So - you want me to sit on that branch
That branch right there
Just sit there
For how long?
You want me to sit there so you can paint me.... How long will that take?
Really, that long?!
Why don’t you just take a picture, it’ll be quicker
Oh, it’s your process....
You’re naturalistic....
The snails of course, you’ll have no problem getting them to pose
I mean, even if they’re moving, how could you tell?
But me, sitting still? I don’t know....
You do know I’m a bird, right?
Flit, fly, up in the sky? Yep, that’s me....
Wellll... okay, I’ll sit for a while
We’ll see how it goes
Well of course you want to paint me because I’m beautiful, I mean, who wouldn’t?
You know what they call me?
The Multi-Colored Murderer
“Multi-colored” - well, obviously
But did you know I’m a murderer?
Yes, I certainly am!
Just ask that worm I just devoured
Well, it was survival of the fittest, kill or be killed, him or me!
Well, it was pretty much always gonna be me
When I get you in my sights, it’s Good Night, Ladybug!
Okay, I promise I’ll leave that butterfly alone... at least till you’re done painting
That thing freaks me out anyway, it’s like a Transformer!
Cousin, leave that dragonfly be
The lady’s trying to paint!
Sit still? I am sitting still!
I’m still on the branch, ain’t I?
I tried to tell you lady
This is about as still as I get
Are you getting my good side?
These flowers sure are beautiful
I never really took the time to look at them before
Always flying here and there, singing, hunting, feathering my nest - and then it’s time to migrate!
Who has time for flowers?
Anyway, I usually just check out the ones with nectar
That’s where the bugs are!
I mean, what’s the point of smelling good if there’s nothing to eat?
I do feel pretty calm sitting here
It’s actually kinda nice
This must be sort of like that meditation thing my Nightingale friend told me about the other day
I’ll have to try that sometime
All the killing has been getting on my nerves lately
I wonder what it’s like to be a vegan
Maybe I’ll give that a try too
Can I have a grape?
Near to the Evening by Ira Rom-Lorenz
For more poetry, please visit my Poetry Page and my "Waiting for Katrina" page.
