A review of Monet in Poetry and Paint
by Michael Escoubas
A peaceful power exists in the paintings of Monet and the poetry of Michael Escoubas. Reading this work is like taking a relaxing bath or doing strong meditation.
In his poem, “Autumn on the Seine at Argenteuil” from Monet’s painting of the same title, the poet advances “I imagine him beside me near the stream/ totally quiet while I listen and dream.” Then in another poem Michael refers to strolling the boardwalk with Renoir–“summer winds and pretty girls” which takes us , the readers, back to the old days. When times seemed simpler and so much less toxic.
In “Chrysanthemums” we find the poet touching, feeling the simplicity of flowers–the beautiful flowers that some wonderful green thumb nourished from seed to bloom, just like this poet who nourishes us with his words to make us resign to contentment.
He pays extended homage to the painters, while reflecting out of the shadow of his words. In “The Cliff Walk at Pourville” the poet refers to a “cynical culture where/ abuses to the soul feel/ like fingernails on a chalkboard.” But then Michael speaks of “welcoming wind whispers, come in.” He implores us to insert ourselves into Monet’s paintings because they will soothe us, calm us, and leave the chaotic world behind as we stop to gaze at what the artist has presented us. He refers to the painter, I refer to this poet and his words.
In “After the Cradle,” Escoubas shows us the scene Monet brushes onto the canvas. “The baby seems swaddled in halo/ his rouged cheeks a picture of health.” The miracle of birth captured in both words and paint–” A fragile package.” In the beginning of life and at the end of life we are a fragile package. That was the scope of Monet’s world, which also becomes the scope of this poet’s world.
In “Studio Boat,” Michael speaks of being “Anchored between two poles/ … And me, anchored before/ your canvas, absorbed in/ the gentle ripples of water/ and blessed as I enter.” Monet’s paintings often centered on water or flowers and the peaceful images they project. Michael Escoubas’ poems based on those paintings grow and ripple within our hearts like a gentle current asking us to read, ponder, relax our minds and find our center.
Simplicity in poetry can be complex at the same time. This collection of poems is a work of art. Monet would be proud to have had his paintings translated into these words.
Reviewed by jacob erin-cilberto, author of Haiku and Senryu You
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