This is for FOWC: Scream. I am also sharing with the Writers’ Pantry. Special thanks to Mr. Bump for reminding me about how terrifying this painting is and how it gave 10-year-old Jenna at least one nightmare. I wrote a free-verse, almost stream-of-consciousness, so…here you go.
Consider “The Scream,”
that disturbing painting,
so unsettling
it gave this child nightmares.
Consider how Mr. Munch
may have painted it today,
if he were living —
horror of art “nouveau normal”
The orange sky is surprisingly
accurate, as is the conspicuous
absence of most
others — uncertainty and anxiety
Are certainly closer
companions — but he’s not wearing
a mask!
this dehumanized creature needs
A face covering,
so no one sees his scream,
though we hear it
screeching, reaching from 1893.
WOW! This is brilliant Henna. This is one of my favourite paintings. For me, it expresses how I feel most of the time!
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Thank you! The more I look at it, the more I kind of like it, precisely because it’s rather disturbing.
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Maybe screaming because they are supposed to wear a mask?
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Even back then there would be plenty to scream about. Sadly today we now see that is still true as the Covid crisis wends its way across the world and then comes back for more of us again.
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The orange sky, from today’s perspective, brings the dreadful fires too close.
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Your stream of consciousness poem is wonderful …..
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Seems there is always so much to scream about. Brilliant poem!
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