JAE ROSE

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Jae blogs from the UK

A Face

Exploring the art of Gerard Sekoto

Looking at – Gerard Sekoto, Woman With Downcast Eyes (1955)

There is a richness in your cheeks

A secret strength – a power that you will always hold –

No matter what

When you feel safe enough to lift up your eyes

They will glow like burning embers

Carry you far – to kinder lands and kinder hands

A place where you can breathe and laugh

And raise your gaze up into the stars and sky

The limitless possibilities of freedom

I can see the strength in you – your dignity and poise

I hope one day you will see it too.



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14 responses to “A Face”

  1. petrujviljoen Avatar
    petrujviljoen

    An ode, a blessing and best of wishes for the young girl. A lovely write!

    Reply
    1. jaerose37 Avatar
      jaerose37

      Thank you

      Reply
  2. kim881 Avatar
    kim881

    The direct address makes this poem all the more personal, Jae, like a love poem. You see beyond the image, into the girl’s eyes and her longing for ‘kinder lands and kinder hands’ and freedom.

    Reply
    1. jaerose37 Avatar
      jaerose37

      It felt like being drawn into her face – thank you

      Reply
      1. kim881 Avatar
        kim881

        My pleasure, Jae.

  3. Sherry Marr Avatar
    Sherry Marr

    This is beautiful, Jae. I hope she will see it, too.

    Reply
    1. jaerose37 Avatar
      jaerose37

      Thank you Sherry 🙂

      Reply
  4. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I hope for her freedom too… and maybe when it was painted that was exactly what the painter saw.

    Reply
    1. jaerose37 Avatar
      jaerose37

      I hope the painter did wish for her too – thank you Bjorn

      Reply
  5. Melissa Lemay Avatar
    Melissa Lemay

    It seems like we’ve seen some of the same in this painting, Jae. The longer I looked, the more I saw a side of her not sad, but perhaps resilient, or something else.

    Reply
    1. jaerose37 Avatar
      jaerose37

      Yes – resilient is the perfect word – thank you

      Reply
  6. poetisatinta Avatar
    poetisatinta

    what a sensitive response – beautiful 💞

    Reply
    1. jaerose37 Avatar
      jaerose37

      Thank you!

      Reply
  7. rothpoetry Avatar
    rothpoetry

    I love your strong interpretation of the of this painting. There is so much hope and strength in your poem. Very well done!

    Reply

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