Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s "Short Story on a Painting of Gustav Klimt" is an ekphrastic poem that vividly describes a scene inspired by a painting of Gustav Klimt. The poem captures an intimate and sensuous moment between a man and a woman while weaving in rich imagery and symbolism reminiscent of Klimt’s iconic style.

The poem opens with a description of the couple: "They are kneeling upright on a flowered bed / He / has just caught her there / and holds her still." The image of "kneeling upright" on a "flowered bed" sets the stage for a romantic and serene encounter. The man "holds her still," suggesting a moment of passion and desire.

Ferlinghetti then describes the woman's attire: "Her gown / has slipped down / off her shoulder," revealing a sense of vulnerability and intimacy. The man is consumed by "an urgent hunger," and his "dark head / bends to hers / hungrily." His desire is palpable, and the physical closeness between them heightens the intensity of the scene.

However, the woman remains elusive: "And the woman the woman / turns her tangerine lips from his." Her refusal to meet his kiss introduces a tension between them, emphasizing her reluctance or indecision. Her hand, "like the head of a dead swan," is "draped down over / his heavy neck." The image of the "dead swan" hand suggests a sense of surrender, yet the "fingers / strangely crimped / tightly together" indicate a lingering resistance.

Her other arm is "doubled up / against her tight breast," and her hand forms "a languid claw / clutching his hand / which would turn her mouth / to his." This image conveys her inner conflict, as her hand "clawing" his hand hints at both a desire to resist and a desire to be held. The tension between yielding and resisting plays out through their physical closeness.

Ferlinghetti then describes the intricate details of their attire, drawing directly from Klimt’s artistic style: "her long dress made / of multicolored blossoms / quilted on gold / her Titian hair / with blue stars in it." The vibrant and intricate patterns evoke Klimt's signature use of gold and floral motifs. The man's "gold / harlequin robe / checkered with / dark squares" complements her dress, creating a harmonious visual pairing.

The scene is further embellished with "Gold garlands / stream[ing] down over / her bare calves & / tensed feet." The combination of gold, floral motifs, and intricate details creates a vivid and sensual tableau, akin to Klimt’s richly decorated paintings.

Ferlinghetti imagines the setting as a magical landscape: "Nearby there must be / a jeweled tree / with glass leaves aglitter / in the gold air." This imagery transports the reader to a mythical world where love and desire flourish. "It must be / morning / in a faraway place somewhere" adds to the dreamy quality of the scene, suggesting a timeless and ethereal environment.

Despite their physical closeness, there is a palpable emotional distance between the man and the woman. They are "silent together / as in a flowered field / upon the summer couch / which must be hers." The silence emphasizes their emotional disconnect, despite the intimate embrace.

The poem concludes with the man's unwavering desire: "And he holds her still / so passionately / holds her head to his / so gently so insistently / to make her turn / her lips to his." However, "Her eyes are closed / like folded petals / She / will not open / He / is not the One." This final revelation, that "He is not the One," underscores the woman’s reluctance to fully reciprocate his love.

In "Short Story on a Painting of Gustav Klimt," Ferlinghetti masterfully captures the tension between desire and reluctance, intimacy and distance. By drawing inspiration from Klimt’s art, he creates a lush, sensuous scene that explores the complexities of love and longing. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the often-unbridgeable gap between the longing for connection and the reality of unfulfilled desire.

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