13 February, 2016

Numena


This poem is inspired by Charles de Lint’s book Memory and Dream. The term ‘numena’ refers to non-physical beings who are able to take on form through the act of creation that goes into a painting


Brush in hand
Stroke after stroke
Russets and turpentine
Soft curves and unyielding lines

Scrutinizing stance
Followed by a satisfactory sigh
The painter leaves the room
Leaving the masterpiece to dry

Twilight reveals
That which reality belies
From an iridescent canvas
The painter’s creations comes to life

From another world
And a land unknown
Fantastical beings appear
Bathed in an unearthly glow

They alight with silent feet
Only on silent nights
To protect their creator
With all their unearthly might

Adjoined in spirit 
Creations and their creator
Share memory and dreams
Fading as the early rays grow stronger

The painter awakes
Drowsy from dream
Memories of powers outlandish
Far more real than what fantasy seems

Mounted on the easel
A vision that escapes the naked eye
But aghast is the painter
A sight too real to deny

The wondrous nymphs
Painted the night before
Newly sprouted wings aflutter
Mystery increasing evermore

Awakened by this secret
The painter is now set free
The memory of what was a dream
Now altered to a strange reality


1 comment:

  1. This poem is inspired by Charles de Lint’s book Memory and Dream. The term ‘numena’ refers to non-physical beings who are able to take on form through the act of creation that goes into a painting

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