Poems Inspired by the The Paintings of Vermeer
Andrew has a keen interest in all aspects of poetry and writes extensively on the subject. His poems are published online and in print.

Johannes Vermeer's signature. There are no known images of Vermeer. (See Painting No 9.)
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I hope you'll enjoy these poems from the interior, written over a number of years after studying these wonderful paintings.
Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft in the Netherlands in 1632 and died there in relative poverty in 1675. During this time he created some incredible paintings, the best known of which are his interiors - scenes showing women with letters, maid servants going about their business, mothers-to-be pondering their futures and other domestic events.
Vermeer seems to have been obsessed with natural light - many of his paintings are studies of a figure or two at a window - how it brings life and texture to objects and people in a room. He was able to capture special moments with superb brush work, detail and colour, creating scenes of profound atmosphere that still mesmerise viewers today.
Having lived in the Netherlands for a few years I know how respected and loved 'Jan' Vermeer is. I think primarily they respect his technical skills and composition but also are intrigued by the stories the subjects have to tell. Looking at his work you can be drawn right into the quiet space where the light he painted lives on. Ordinary days made extraordinary.
The following poems relate to the interiors and the life going on within them.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Young Woman Asleep
Dawn's broken
promise
an open door
into light.
Mischief conceals
itself.
Above, the master
stirs.
Last night is
in the next room;
future like glass
scratched.
Today will be a chair
turned the wrong way.
Revellers wonder if
your immaculate skin
ever needed a mask.
Pretend you're
not there.
Last night
was sweet and imperfect
let's say
like an over-ripe
plum.
__________________________________________
The Milkmaid
Vermeer's leftover crusts
pile up in front of her eyes.
He's on a diet of light
shaping the shadowy hours,
arresting things in a room.
Eat that blue. Lick the off white.
Colours so rich your tongue
might see.
Meanwhile milk pours,
there's concentration fixed like a corner
tight around her chest and
facing work, strong in her
jug to bowl
existence,
you want to say be seated, feet up,
take a day off.
.................................................................................................................
A Lady and Two Gentleman
I am sitting in a room
daydreaming -
bring in the wine
I said to nobody
bring me the letter
that challenges the light.
You stand watching
my insides tremble
as I enter the dream.
I will not crack like porcelain,
even though you see through me;
now
bring me the cloned poets
I can forever greet,
depress, send into imaginary
realms.
I am returning to the painter
his witty, naughty joke.
____________________________________________________________
Girl Interrupted At Her Music
See the sheen on the lute and the glance
of the girl
and the man shadowy wax and you reluctant
to ask
why she looks for some reply
and
see the sheet music plonked like that
it's not natural
this permanent distraction,
the silence between
strummed chords.
........................................................................................................
The Astronomer
How to play God.
A slight adjustment
of the cosmic globe
and who knows
where time goes?
Dirty right hand controls
space, stars, stories
of the universal soul.
Left hand clean, cool, calm
in angelic light
ready to turn a page.
Deep breath
then animation.
...........................................................................................................
Woman Drinking With A Man
Mornings white wine
soothes my throat
until the light fades
until irritating men
are just figments of
my imagination.
..................................................................................................................
Woman With Scales
In the belly the future kicks out
at the skin of a dark universe
whose costumed strangers are
all here all of the time holding
onto precious things.
In the mind
love debates the pros and cons,
eyes down, beautifully poised.
.................................................................................................................
Woman In Blue Reading A Letter
You expect a story,
a beginning, middle and end
fed like baby's cells
with an umbilical imagination
freeing up the days ahead.
Map, chairs, bairn to be.
Simple. Right?
...............................................................................................................
Girl With The Red Hat
Forget those lips
the face still ripening
after a brisk
walk
through quiet streets
this is total take over
by blood, a scarlet rip
in a plain universe no-one
envisaged could exist on such
a damp Thursday.
...................................................................................................................
The Art Of Painting

Some critics think this could be Vermeer, back against us, refusing to reveal his looks.
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It's the sun and
the sensual, the slow capture
of colour.
The more you paint, deeper
into a secret
the brush whispering
a name, a story.
.......................................................................................................................
You May Want To Read More Poems
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Original poems about birds. How different birds inspire different kinds of poetry.
Vermeer's Paintings
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© 2012 Andrew Spacey
Comments
Andrew Spacey (author) from Sheffield, UK on March 21, 2015:
Thanks for the supportive comment, appreciated.
Lee Cloak on March 21, 2015:
A very nice piece of writing, very interesting and very enjoyable, thanks!
Andrew Spacey (author) from Sheffield, UK on November 25, 2012:
Thank you KrisL, much appreciate your comments and tweetings!
Thank you too whonunuwho, let's hope you get back to the canvas asap!!
Andrew Spacey (author) from Sheffield, UK on November 25, 2012:
Grateful thanks for the visit and comment. How many of us have the hidden artist inside? There is a canvas waiting to be painted on in every house! If you did paint on that canvas I wonder what sort of picture would emerge?
CrisSp from Sky Is The Limit Adventure on November 25, 2012:
What a recalling hub to appreciate the beauty of arts. I am an art lover and an aspiring painter with a canvas and easel left alone at the basement. For now, I'm enjoying my writing (and reading). So, maybe when I get tired of writing...which I think is not going to happen. (:
"a scarlet rip in a plain universe "~
Lovely poem!
whonunuwho from United States on November 15, 2012:
This was such an imaginative look into the artist Vermeer and a great displaying of his work. I find your approach quite refreshing and provoking into the life of this painter. I, too, am a painter of sorts and concentrate on landscapes and creatures of the wild. This makes me want to return to my lost art days and paint once again. Thank You for sharing this fine work. whonu
KrisL from S. Florida on November 15, 2012:
Wonderful combination of poetry and painting.
Voted "awesome" and tweeted.
Andrew Spacey (author) from Sheffield, UK on November 15, 2012:
Many thanks for your visit and comment. An exercise well worth the effort - so fascinating to look into these interiors and find a voice.
Jamie Lee Hamann from Reno NV on November 15, 2012:
What an incredible hub with incredible poetry and paintings from the Dutch Master. Thank you so much for writing this and sharing, I am planning on sharing it myself. Jamie