This lovely painting is by Franz Marc, and is titled In The Rain. Jane Dougherty has challenged us to write a poem about it, using any form we like. I didn’t manage to use all of her suggested words, but here’s my effort:
The queen approaches
Jewelled brow gleaming, her head bowed
I bow, also
Rain grey against my coat
My hat remains
She passes by
All light and colour, scent and dream
I watch, alone
Rain bright against the pavement
My heart alight
Attendants follow,
Trailing leaves, each step a rainbow
I blink, dazzled
Rain dancing in the colours
My vision blurred.
The queen is gone,
All is grey, where once was colour
I weep, forlorn
Rain, relentless, echoing my tears
My love unrequited.
Helen Glynn Jones 
What a wonderful poem Helen befitting this gorgeous image. Color, life, hope and imagination in it.
Thanks, Miriam 🙂 That’s so nice of you. I wanted to convey the idea of colour and life in the rain, of a man seeing the woman he loves pass by.
And you did it beautifully.
I really like that, Helen! Well done. Cos that image is not doing anything for me! It’s amazing to see what an image can inspire in someone, and to follow their train of thoughts.
Thanks, Ali! 🙂 Yes, it’s interesting what grabs us, isn’t it? There have been other challenges which haven’t moved me at all, but something about this one got me thinking. The mysteries of the muse, hey? 🙂
Kerfe and I were just discussing the way the shafts of rain barring the painting are so dramatic. I like the effect you produce in the poem, repeating the way the colour changes as the rain ripples across the image.
Thanks, Jane – it sort of fell into that rhythm as I was writing it, perhaps in response to the ripples in the painting.
Could be. They’re very insistent.
They certainly are 🙂
That’s a terrific poem. It is a perfect match with the lovely painting.
Thank you 🙂 That’s so nice of you to say, glad you enjoyed it.
I LOVE Franz Marc! I once got to see the Lenbachhaus in Munich, where the Blaue Reiter group lived and worked. So awesome. And your poem is beautiful, too – that goes without saying. 🙂
Thanks, Angelika 🙂 While I’m familiar with the style of art, I wasn’t familiar with Franz Marc specifically, so it was a nice bonus to discover him through his painting. I love that period of art – it’s so exciting, so many different styles and interpretations. 🙂
I love the story you tell in this poem. Nicely done! 🙂
Thanks so much,Merril – glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 For some reason the painting made me think of a knight and a queen, but only metaphorically speaking, if that makes sense.
Yes, I think so. You poem had sort of the feel of an old ballad–but not.
Thanks, merril – that’s lovely 😀