Poetry Challenge ‘American Gothic’
‘It’s American Regionalist artist Grant Wood‘s birthday today and it’s being celebrated over on Echostains! American Gothic is one of the most iconic painting in the USA. Much has been written about this painting, but in some ways it remains an enigma. To read about the artist Grant Wood please see my corresponding post on echostains
Wood got the idea for the painting American Gothic from a cottage he saw which had been built in the Gothic revival style. The cottage can be seen in the background with its gothic upper window. Wood tried to imagine the sort of people who would live in such a house. He decided upon this rather stern and prim looking couple (modelled upon his own sister and his dentist). The man holds a pitchfork and stand besides his spinster sister – though some see these two as man and wife. if you look closely, the pitchfork shape is echoed in the farmers overall, the shape of the window behind him and even the shape of the mans face.. The pitchfork represents hard work. Nan (Wood’s sister) is the model for the farmers spinster sister. She is dressed in a Colonial print apron which mimic 19th century Americana. American Gothic has been parodied a great deal, but I thought it would be challenging (and fun) to write a poem about this picture. The poem can be long, short, a Haiku or even a limerick. How do you see this couple? kind? threatening? secretive? Make the poem as serious or humorous as you like. You may use my American Button if you want to 🙂
Usual rules apply;
The idea behind the challenges is to publicise Bookstains – as well as having creative fun, so it is imperative that the poet link to Bookstains to further the challenge so you MUST have a URL.. BUT, echostains is about communication – so this is a two-way street:
In return for your poem (which is always accredited to you) your poem is copied to the challenges particular page which is open indefinitely and the poets own website mentioned with a link and the poem critiqued on not only Bookstains but also on the poets own blog or website. I shall give your poem a Tweet on Twitter to further promote it. I also update my Echostains blog frequently, regardless on what the post is about – I mention if there is a new poem in the challenge.
Please note – and I only mention because I have had some of these….. If you wouldn’t put the poem on your own blog, please don’t send it to mine and expect me to promote it. This is a genuine challenge – so please play fair 😀
Images from here here and here
The first one is a Haiku by Jessica’s Japes – a great blog full of poetry and fiction which will make you think – and smile 🙂
Small town rhetoric
Defending dated dogma;
Progress bypasses
© Jessica D’Angelo 2011
Here’s a humorous one from Pamanner’s Blog by WordyWoman! Her blog is about poetry, relationships, life, nature, and whatever else procreates on her computer screen. Worth checking out 🙂
forget Mary and
your four kids
keep staring at her
perky milk jugs I
swear I’ll find a
new use for that
pitchfork
©Pamela A. Rossow
Well I stared and I stared at this painting for inspiration, and I looked into the couples faces hoping that they would tell me their own story. I had a bit of a job getting them to spill the beans but don’t let those closed faces fool you – there’s a lot going on behind those net curtains:-
On your way stranger!
There aint nothing for you here.
You’re only courting danger,
I’m king of this frontier!
You’re talking to the fork!
And it won’t hear no blaspheming!
You’d better start to walk
(My sister – stop that screaming!)
Compose yourself my dear!
We just don’t want no trouble.
Supplies will last all year
And we got more than double.
Remember when the law came by
Twas I that they did question.
Then you produced that hot meat pie
That gave em indigestion.
I aint seen no missing folk!
I told em loud and clear.
Yet still they all would prod and poke
Which filled me full of fear.
Stranger why you standing there?
Be gone into the rain.
And while you ride, just say a prayer
That you don’t pass this way again.
©Lynda M Roberts 2011
Our next poem comes from Val Erde (Absurd Old Bird) who plays with words and images. This great blog features her very original art and interesting writings – worth visiting!
AMERICAN GOTHIC
One day you’ll find
a husband, he’ll help
with pitchin’ hay….
keep you out of my hair
for all the livelong day.
His name may just be Wilbur…
Wilbur? Are you crazy?
Hush now sister, don’t be
frettin’, I only said ‘maybe’.
Just stand there
with your pitchfork,
I’ll hold my stomach in.
Is that a smirk
upon your face,
or just a silly grin?
Your glasses they be slippin’,
slippin’off your nose.
I sure do wish I’d thought a bit
‘fore puttin’ on these clothes.
The apple pie is cookin’,
the cottontail’s been shot.
Uncle’s in the cellar
heatin’ up the pot.
I heard a noise from yonder
and thought it was the rain.
You heard it wrong, it’s cousin Orson
going down the drain.
I chopped him up this mornin’,
with camphor on my nose,
all the bits were washed right down
except for Orson’s toes.
I put them in the pie bowl
and filled it to the brim.
Come now brother, raise a smile,
or folks will think we’re grim.
D’you like the little pattern
that’s on my old brown dress?
I can’t afford a new one
but hate to look a mess.
Your hair’s been gone for decades
but your overalls are neat,
Uncle! can you hear me?
I said turn down the heat!
Uncle cannot hear you,
the pot is boiling dry
I’ve tipped the remnants of his
guts into the pan to fry.
They’ll go nicely with the onions
nicely with the corn,
but best to put his bones to rest
before the break of dawn.
We’re just an average couple
Average to the core
The sun is shinin’ on our house
There’s fresh paint on the door
We found ourselves an artist
to paint us nice and neat
and when he’s done we’ll cook him
And then we’ll be replete.
Copyright © Val Erde
This contribution is from Adam Dustus who has the most wonderful poetry blog, full of challenges and delights! Well worth checking our here AND with the added bonus of actually hearing the poems read by the author!
Approximately 650 miles from Winesburg, Ohio
Much nearer sticks to hospitable care
When boring wood lampooned beliefs
You may feel free
Bury me there
Ulysses & Grant would go home again
Iowa forgiving prodigal pride
Blond Emily Dickinson stares into oblivion
Poseidon’s prop gripped by father time
Behind them lies someone’s home
Spring arresting American plum
Sprouting hawthorn of unmentionable kinds
Reckoning they did die here too
©Adam Dustus 2011
Our next unique poem is from poet and writer Jenne Rodey Andrews who has several blogs here and they are all well worth checking out too especially if you love poetry!
like laugh lines
Then losing it all at once!
It may be an American Lifestyle
To Me, it’s a Gothic trance.
To dig my own grave..
It may appeal to you as American,
But I live in a Gothic cave!
when it is for the better
She: What use is this quiet
if it becomes another fetterHe: Our boring lives will now
take on a brand new color
She: If blue turns to grey,
things can only get duller
He: Wind plays many tricks
on creaky wooden stairways
She: There’s more than just wind
in the deceptive empty hallways
He: For my safety, I have
a pitchfork turned candle holder
She: But it’s always safe
to look behind your shoulder
He: It is now all ours;
this giant old house
She: But here’s known to live
the ghost of a vicious mouse
©Kavita 2011
Our next poem is by the ubiquitous Kserverney aka the artswebshow. which features his own personal art, comedy, poetry, music and cookery. Richard now uses video for most of his work, so this poem comes to you from his latest project witty snippets – all worth checking out 🙂
Why the Long Face?
The American dream.
Your own house and pitch fork
So why the long face?
.
Gothic art take two.
A mind of modern darkness
Creepy expressions.
.
I cant smile at all.
Glum, dull and dreary pitchfork
After the wind turned east
©Richard North 2011
My comedy take on American Gothic by Grant Wood.
Featured on book stains poetry challenge
February 13, 2011 at 6:35 pm
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lynda Roberts, Lynda Roberts. Lynda Roberts said: draft Poetry Challenge 'American Gothic' http://wp.me/pLp68-kE […]
February 15, 2011 at 9:40 pm
OH I so wish you had NOT identified the man and woman–the “sister”–the very word–well, hmm–and a “dentist”–oh my! Sexual frustration abounds! LOL. OOO the possibilities, Lynda.
February 15, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Hhehe! Now THAT would make a VERY interesting poem 47whitebuffalo! Are you up for it? The last one you did for the Hepworth Echo was a great one 🙂
February 16, 2011 at 11:20 am
[…] haiku is written in response to Lynda’s poetry challenge over at Bookstains, one of two sites she runs. The painting, which many of you probably recognise, is by Grant Wood. […]
February 16, 2011 at 11:21 am
Hi Lynda. here’s a haiku for your challenge.
http://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/american-gothic/
February 16, 2011 at 11:58 am
Great stuff Jessica! I thought those stern faces might frightening people 😀
“Progress bypasses” – it seems to have bypassed these two! Good Haiku that sums that shut out feeling that the painting gives!
Still working on mine (which is proving harder than I thought)
Thanks for joining in with this challenge Jessica 🙂
February 16, 2011 at 2:01 pm
[…] Poetry Challenge ‘American Gothic’ […]
February 16, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Hi! I was introduced to your site by Jessica! Thanks Jessica!
Here’s mine 🙂
http://pamanner.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/poetry-challenge-%E2%80%98american-gothic%E2%80%99/
February 16, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Thanks Pamanner! Who’d have believed it! The things they really got up to on that farm 😀
Thanks for joining in the fun – it’s appreciated!
February 16, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I can’t wait to get involved on the next challenge, great idea.
Joseph
February 16, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I hope you do Joseph! All the challenges are on the right hand side of the page – and they are all open indefinitely 🙂
February 16, 2011 at 3:40 pm
I am new to wordpress as of a couple days ago, if you can give me advice to make my blog better, let me know.
February 16, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Be original, post regularly and comment on blogs you like – hopefully they will answer back. Be patient, it takes time to get visitors. if you keep posting – they will come. Good Luck!
February 18, 2011 at 8:39 am
Love your poem, Lynda! Sums up the that man’s look perfectly.
February 18, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Thanks Jessica 🙂 Amazing what these two get up to isn’t it….. 😀
February 19, 2011 at 1:46 am
[…] is a challenge by Bookstains (that is still open should you want to take part) and it is to write a poem based on or about or […]
February 19, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Aw thanks Val! xxx
February 19, 2011 at 1:48 am
Should the ping not reach you, I’ve done it! Come’n’look!
February 19, 2011 at 12:03 pm
I hope you’ll join in Val 🙂 Many thanks!
February 19, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Can’t say I know how this works, do I post the link here or do you, or what? Anyway – here’s the poem if you like it.
http://absurdoldbird.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/poetry-challenge/
February 19, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Thats right Val, glad you joined in – it’s great fun isnt it 😀 Wilbur and Orson lol what great names! I LOVE the ending to this! Poor old Grant Wood – what a reward for all his hard work 😀 Great poem Val – Thanks!
February 27, 2011 at 1:29 am
Ha! American Gothic for a challenge… I’m in. Will post up soon. Cheers
February 27, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I’ll look foward to that Adam 🙂
I seem to have started a murder theme off with my mention of that hot meat pie which gave those law officers such indigestion 😀
March 1, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Hahaha …I imagine Roseanne Barr’s famous Iowian “loose meat sandwiches” would produce a similar effect.
March 1, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Great poem Adam! I love the reference to Ulysses returning home too and the earth (land) 🙂 Poor Grant Wood – he doesn’t seem very popular with Americans does he 😀
An interesting piece whose words seem to have hidden meanings 🙂 Thanks for joining in Adam – it’s always appreciated!
February 28, 2011 at 8:22 pm
This is most interesting, Lynda!! Can’t wait to write for this one…. will post one soooon, and link back too!!!
Thanks for these superb challenges, my friend!!
And for now, I am going to pretend I didn’t read the background you gave us on this picture, and write! teeheehee 😉
February 28, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Great Kavita! All my challenges are open indefintely 🙂 Give it your best shot – I KNOW it will be good 🙂 and appreciated by all including me!
March 5, 2011 at 7:51 pm
American-Gothic inspired poem finally posted!! Yaaaayyy!!! I am soo glad I did this one!! Cuz it was real fun 🙂
I have linked back to the challenge from my blog…
And THIS is the link to my poem.. 🙂
Thanks for these superb challenges, Lynda…
March 5, 2011 at 11:43 pm
No, Thank YOU Kavita and the other poets for rising to the challenge and sending these great poems 🙂
March 5, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Thanks a ton for accepting and putting up my poem here, Lynda… this is so exciting!! 😀
March 5, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Welcome – always 🙂
February 28, 2011 at 9:38 pm
o.k., hear we go again, echo….xxxj http://parolavivace.blogspot.com
March 1, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Great stuff Jenne! Favorite lines include;-
“And she, Naomi, or Mary+
had babies via
spontaneous combustion
A pop of the tractor’s exhaust pipe
and presto
an infant in a christening dress…”
I feel I’m really getting to see what Wood saw when he wrote this poem – the kind of people involved 😀 Thanks for joining in – it’s valued!
March 1, 2011 at 2:02 pm
[…] about Grant Wood’s iconic painting American Gothic. If interested in participating, then click here for […]
March 2, 2011 at 7:56 am
[…] This one’s posted for Echostain’s Poetry Challenge, Theme- ‘American Gothic’. […]
March 2, 2011 at 8:20 am
Hello Lynda,
Here’s what I did with this painting!
Thank you for posting this challenge here. Discovered pretty late- but now that I have (through my beautiful friends), I’ll keep coming back for more.. 🙂
Good that I didn’t read the background till now or else it would have lingered upon. I am barely able to stop myself from loving the house. I see a detailed image posted too. Wish I lived there- I would have handled the Gothic Oldie anyways.. 😀
http://oliviasmindlymatters.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/conflict/
Warm wishes
xoxox
March 2, 2011 at 10:15 am
You’ve certainly given the painting a highly original take Olivia! No wonder those people look as they do 🙂 I love that house too – beautiful, you can see its their pride, but not much joy has been had trying to hang onto it 😦 I like the Gothic trance line – good touch Olivia! Thanks for joining in – much appreciated!
March 2, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Thank you so much Lynda!
I am glad you liked it- I wanted to stick to the very painting instead of weaving a story around.
It is completely my pleasure to link in- will always do.. 😀
Thank you for posting me here!!! Much honored.. 🙂
Warm wishes
March 2, 2011 at 6:02 pm
You’re welcome Olivia! All the poetry challenges are open indefinitely is you want to join in 🙂
March 4, 2011 at 11:54 am
My eyes fell out when I came across this! I wrote a poem with this in mind and have wondered how it would work! Anyhow, here it is;
March 4, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Nice poem Kolembo! Please link to my Bookstains Poetry challenge then I can add it here 🙂
March 5, 2011 at 7:48 pm
[…] in response to the Bookstains American-Gothic Poetry Challenge** ***Also posted for Thursday Poets Rally (Week 39) […]
March 5, 2011 at 11:23 pm
This is great Kavita! There’s so many great lines in this poem;-
“He: Wind plays many tricks
on creaky wooden stairways
She: There’s more than just wind
in the deceptive empty hallways”……I’ll never look at that couple the same way again 🙂
Thanks for posting this – appreciated 🙂
March 6, 2011 at 1:46 am
Ok, i’ve done this one.
I cant do them on arts web show unless i do them in video format and these videos are really proving difficult to turn out fast enough but i have put it up on witty snippets.
Here’s the link.
The post is scheduled for 12 ‘o’ clock 6/3 rd
Enjoy
http://wittysnippets.com/2011/03/why-the-long-face/
March 6, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Hheh there is an old saying about not frowning and pulling faces because if the wind changes your face will stay like that! Looks like it wasn’t an old wives tale after all – judging by these two 😀 Thanks for joining in – appreciated 🙂
March 6, 2011 at 1:49 pm
[…] Featured on book stains poetry challenge […]