“The Girl Not Wearing (At Just This Moment) The Pearl Earring” (From Steen to Vermeer)
Jan Steen, “Sick Woman,” 1665
Every week Tess Kincaid of Magpie Tales posts a pictorial prompt to be used as a writing exercise. This week’s was a very cool painting by Jan Steen which brought to my mind a similar painting (at least in terms of costuming) by Johannes Vermeer (posted below.) I am also linking this to dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night, hosted by Joe Hesch.
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The Girl Not Wearing (At Just This Moment) The Pearl Earring
She found a model’s life not as portrayed.
Hours sitting passed as years – her mind glazed
like the buffed veneers –
And talk about Vermeer–Johannes V.==
He demanded picture perfect, that was he!
She had to stand too==ugh! While jolly old Jan S.,
leavened sessions with a partner, so, “why, yes,”
she’d said, to the palpating of posed wrist,
and yes again when palpate took a twist
from arm to breast to hip to inner thigh
as they’d played ‘doctor’–not so patient–(sigh….)
Which meant: she stood once more for Master V.
who didn’t mind the curve of tummy’s “C.”
The jacket still fit great–okay, so maybe
the skirt waist had to be let out–”Don’t worry,” Johannes said,
“for now just please, oh please, don’t move your head.”
Johannes Vermeer, “Woman Holding a Balance”, around 1665
Check out both dVerse and Magpie Tales. And, also, if you have time, check out my books! Poetry, GOING ON SOMEWHERE, (by Karin Gustafson, illustrated by Diana Barco). 1 Mississippi -counting book for lovers of rivers, light and pachyderms, or Nose Dive, a very fun novel that is perfect for a pool or beachside escape. Nose Dive is available on Kindle for just 99 cents!
Explore posts in the same categories: poetryTags: Jan Steen and Johannes Vermeer poem, Manicdddaily, Modeling for the Dutch, Oops - said the palpated, Poem about Vermeer, The Girl Not Wearing (At Just This Moment) The Pearl Earring
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ManicDDaily 
October 8, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Rather cheeky, those Dutch masters…nice take on the prompt 🙂
October 8, 2012 at 3:59 pm
This is awesome:
“and yes again when palpate took a twist
from arm to breast to hip to inner thigh
as they’d played ‘doctor’–not so patient–(sigh….)”
You are hilarious. 🙂 And always so clever!
October 8, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Excellent!
October 8, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Very enjoyablel take on this prompt…
October 8, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Utterly fascinating ~~ the same garments!!! Great writing too …
October 8, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Cracking me up, k. Not so patient, indeed. Pun-ishing writing. Also like veneer/Vermeer–but I can’t say those little fuzzy coats do much for a woman’s style. They remind me of old-fashioned bed jackets…which I guess would fit your theme.
October 9, 2012 at 3:16 am
Very clever. Intriguing what you have done here, and done so well. I’m full of admiration, both for the idea and the execution.
October 9, 2012 at 5:53 am
ha. fun on some level, pun-full on others….smiles…can you imagine having to stand there for so long….played doctor, not so patient….ha
October 9, 2012 at 9:28 am
Brillant perception, she is sick alright , of these buggers prodding her !, well deduced
October 9, 2012 at 4:14 pm
ha, big smiles, all the way through. great interpretation!
October 9, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Thanks, Kelly. k.
October 9, 2012 at 4:24 pm
I enjoyed this – lots of narrative and ideas behind the words, well-written.
October 9, 2012 at 4:32 pm
This is so clever! I love it!
October 9, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Clever write, Karin. Nicely done.
October 9, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Picturesque, pithy, and plenty of cheek…methinks I like it much too much this exploration of artist and model in wordplay extraordinaire!
October 9, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Ha! Thanks. k.
October 9, 2012 at 6:57 pm
oh! wonderful take on the prompt!
♥
October 9, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Ha. I love your love of art and how you’ve merged it with humor here. Really good write.
October 9, 2012 at 7:57 pm
You work that image beautifully. It dictates the content of your exceptionally. The painter painted with oil, and you–with words. Such is the compliment I offer.
October 9, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Ha. Thanks so much Emmett. k.
October 9, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Pithy, is correct, Karin. I got a chuckle out of this, that opening is priceless. Good take on the painting.
Pamela
October 9, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Thanks so much, Pam. k.
October 9, 2012 at 9:19 pm
A popping response to such a great picture !
I really like what you did with it
made me go 😀 out loud 😀
October 9, 2012 at 9:27 pm
THanks, Aaron. k.
October 9, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Very creative piece. I love veneer/Vermeer, yes playing doctor.
October 9, 2012 at 10:22 pm
What great imagination and creativity bringing these wonderful images into the same vision…fun to write (I’m sure) and certainly a joy to read. Fine job in all respects.
October 9, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Thanks, Steve.
October 9, 2012 at 11:34 pm
Clever!
October 10, 2012 at 12:02 am
haha…what a fun write…started smiling when i read the title and what follows doesn’t disappoint at all…smiles
October 10, 2012 at 2:32 pm
ha ha ha- thanks for putting a smile on my face…the last line had me chuckling! this is a beaut! loving the way your mind works
October 10, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Thanks so much, Stu. k.
October 10, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Fun take on the prompt–good storytelling. And congratulations on having a good eye and an outstanding memory!
October 11, 2012 at 7:57 am
Clever stuff – very enjoyable!
Anna :o]
October 11, 2012 at 6:49 pm
This is fascinating and I love your take. You obviously did your homework and combined it with humor. 🙂
October 11, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Thanks, MarGARET. K.
October 16, 2012 at 8:33 pm
oh i knew i read it already..you really have to watch that film..it’s awesome
October 16, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Sorry! I realized after commenting that I’d used it for OLN! Thanks. Yes, I will. HOpe you are having a great time! k.