The Dog of Goya - pipTalk Forums

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bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

0 posted 2003-07-28 02:58 PM

The Dog of Goya

What to say of a dog
that acknowledges the distance?

A journey that ends in drowning,
or something less dramatic.

Is it snowing where you are,
or is there a new atmosphere?

Does the wind feel close and cold
as the damp sand of your grave?

A deaf man painted on his wall
your company, a promise

that though sounds would grow tired,
vision would not follow.

Are you peering at the door
or some long-gone window?

What to say of a dog
that acknowledges the distance?

http://www.marxist.com/images/goya2/dog.jpg

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-11-18

Posts 7350
the ass-end of space

1 posted 2003-07-28 08:58 PM

A bleak image, it is hard to decipher it's as if the dog is being buried alive or lost amidst the sands. True it could be underwater too, distrubing image. i can't say I'm familiar with Goya's work but I am familiar with yours, and as always you raise questions and evoke emotions.

brian sites
Senior Member

since 2002-06-25

Posts 1475
usa

2 posted 2003-07-29 01:22 AM

mike-as-tell-us-scope

you identified
the dog

reading thoughts within
without

you published yet?
god I hope so....

[This message has been edited by brian sites (07-29-2003 01:24 AM).]

bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

3 posted 2003-07-29 11:58 AM

Ae, Goya's definitely worth looking into. One of the Spanish masters. "The Dog" is one of 14 Black Paintings he painted on the walls of his home in his old age, deaf and bitter. The most famous of the Black Paintings being Saturn devouring his son. Before he went deaf, he did wonderful frescoes and paintings making fun of the throne. Then the war went through, and his paintings became surreal nightmares of headless bodies, bleeding victims and body parts hanging from trees.

brian, Thank you.

wranx
Member Elite

since 2002-06-07

Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

4 posted 2003-07-29 09:48 PM

Yes, yes, YES...
He used to hide the paintings behind tapestries. (couldn't move them)

Worked on them at night, by candlelight. Always wondered what they LOOKED like by candlelight.

Sanctuary is sanctuary for you...Not a tapestry. (I can see how your would like Goya, squirrel dude)

Friend,
Ed...

Local Parasite

Member Elite

since 2001-11-05

Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg

5 posted 2003-08-01 01:54 PM

This is an interesting interpretation of Goya's Dog. I admit I'm not familiar with the artist but based on what you've set forth, I'd say you're onto something with this.

quote:
A deaf man painted on his wall
your company, a promise

that though sounds would grow tired,
vision would not follow.

Are you peering at the door
or some long-gone window?

For a dog, or any of us for that matter, sound is what directs our vision. For Goya there is no sound, so all that there is to look at is the vast emptiness, the "distance" as you say. It's really interesting, and quite sad, but the painting conveys a real feeling of power. I'm going to pay more attention to this man's work.

As for this poem? I think it's one of your best. Excellent work, Mike...

Parasite

Faith is a fine invention
When gentlemen can see
But microscopes are prudent
In an emergency.
~~~Emily Dickinson

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