Comments on: “Bonnard’s Wife’s Ashes” by Paula Goldman

By: Michael and Melanie

Michael and Melanie — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:27:58 +0000

Dark and Beautiful.

By: Renee Wolfson

Renee Wolfson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:19 +0000

As the painter paints strokes so does Ms Goldman provide descriptive words that draws a portrait of feelings on her canvas.

By: Mickey Hoffman

Mickey Hoffman — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:58:42 +0000

The poem presents a contrast between a woman’s real character and form and the way her husband, Bonnard, portrayed her as a model. What I get is that Bonnard perhaps couldn’t accept her as she was and even after her death he still sought to create a Marthe as he wanted her to be, firmly closing the door on reality… I also felt that Marthe’s illnesses came from her proximity to her artist husband’s unwillingness to see her and love her as she was. A sad poem but full of interesting ideas.

By: Kit Smyth Basquin

Kit Smyth Basquin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:31:25 +0000

in case this did not register yesterday, I send the comment today:
Goldman captures the personality of the reculusive Marthe, flucturating between physical and mental. She develops mystery and ends by dissolving her subject in the light of words, just as Bonnard did with paint. A poetic tour de force. Kit Smyth Basquin

By: Kit Smyth Basquin

Kit Smyth Basquin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:50:21 +0000

Goldman captures the personality of the reclusive Marthe, flucturating between physical and mental. She develops mystery, and ends by dissolving her subject in the light of words, just as Bonnard did with paint. A poetic tour de force.