Georges Seurat (1851-1891) was famous for developing the technique of pointillism, using tiny dots of colour, and scientific theory about colour perception, to create his gorgeous post-Impressionist paintings. There is more about Seurat here and here: “In Seurat’s method, which he also called peinture optique, colors placed next to each other were intended to mix in the eye of the viewer and approximate the quality of natural light.“
The concept of juxtaposition, as well as the image, were my inspirations for this poem. The form of the poem is a pantoum. More of my ekphrastic poetry here.
Man with a Hoe
you felt the sun on your back in the moment before the world changed
deep in thought, in the fields you tended year-round to feed your family
unseen by you, three of them, dressed as peasants, crossed the fields
we saw them from a distance, and we ran to try to warn you
deep in thought, in the fields you tended year-round to feed your family
the hoe in your hand as heavy as a rifle you held in another war
we saw them from a distance, and we ran to try to warn you
the Red Army marched into our village on a grey Tuesday
the hoe in your hand as heavy as a rifle you held in another war
three abreast, uniforms grey, boots scuffed from the march
the Red Army marched into our village on a grey Tuesday
comrades, prepare to welcome your brothers and liberators
three abreast, uniforms grey, boots scuffed from the march
the NKVD came to the village to ask about hidden weapons in the forest
comrades, prepare to meet your brothers and liberators
you felt the sun on your back in the moment before the world changed
©elsp 2025
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