Boxer of Quirinal
26 Feb 2012 14 Comments
in Poetry, Uncategorized Tags: ancient Greece, boxer, Poetry, sculptor
A sculptor’s hand etches out the pain
that echoes in his face
chiselling tortures into the clay
cradling the sadness
in eyes that have not yet known defeat
but know the peril that awaits in the face of each new contender
the strength in each sinew
emerging in the clay beneath the sculptor’s fingers
reveals souls in the scars of battle
the last score a man made in this life
engraved on his exhausted body
he wears their fear, their fight for survival into the ages
cast in bronze
For dversepoets – Poetics Sculpting a poem
Feb 26, 2012 @ 08:26:07
i find the sculpture fascinating…enlarged it to have a closer look..what strength in his body and yet the battle and questions in his eyes…really like how you captured him…very nicely done..
Feb 26, 2012 @ 21:47:04
Yes this is a fascinating sculpture… when I read the prompt, I could only think of this piece… some years ago I had to write about it for a course and the strength of emotion, the story it evoked and detail just lingered.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 11:05:51
Nice details, I like how you showed how emotions and feelings are transferred into the sculpture as it is worked — no wonder some of them seem to be like living turned into stone. Beautifully written.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 12:48:32
Very nice work. You saw layers of depth in the statue and helped me appreciate it more. I liked how you were able to put yourself into him and feel what he was feeling.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 12:54:29
the last score engraved on the mans body…and he wears their plight on…a tribute, to one willing to fight on…unknowing of defeat puts him a little out there makes me think he is heading toward disappointment…
Feb 26, 2012 @ 14:09:22
This poem moved me greatly! I felt as if I were inside the mind of a sculptor. I saw not only the result but the process. Beautiful work.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 14:23:20
a beautiful sculpture of a soldier or a contender gearing up for a battle…very well done ~
my share: http://a-sweetlust.blogspot.com/2012/02/walking-around.html
Feb 26, 2012 @ 17:06:22
This is a verybthoughtful, penetrating reflection on the boxer, a metaphor itself for the struggles we all face in life. Very stoic in thought and overall feel. These ancient boxers fought for real, using leather gloves filled with lead. There are numerous stories of men dying after a beating in these matches. Interesting to note that Plato the philosopher was a boxer, as was the Apostle Paul.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 20:45:53
great piece of art and your words reflect it beautifully …thank you for sharing x
Feb 26, 2012 @ 22:12:07
Like this a lot. I felt like I could touch the muscles, the sinews. Nice descriptions.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 22:38:46
Thank you for the prompt that gave me opportunity to re-visit this great sculpture!
Feb 29, 2012 @ 14:55:31
I love these lines:
“the last score a man made in this life
engraved on his exhausted body”
In fact I think you may have sparked a line I might try and fit in my next poem x
Mar 01, 2012 @ 04:17:59
what an amazing poem that melts the boxer and sculptor.
Mar 04, 2012 @ 05:35:05
Vivid. I feel his exhaustion.
Jamie Dedes