“Light” and “You in Flower” images and poems from: Soul Collective – Poems and Paintings, by Marthe Bijman, pp. 11-12. (July 2025, 2nd Ed., Blurb Books, ISBN 979-8-31-996715-2). Paintings: “Light”: Pen and ink wash on board; “You in Flower”, pencil, pen, and acrylic on board.
About these poems
“You in Flower” is an octosyllabic verse. Each line has 8 syllables in Iambic Pentameter, with a total of 8 lines or 2 quatrains. Iambic pentameter is where the emphasis is on every second syllable – as in; “i THINK i THAW a PUSsy CAT”. And, typically Shakespearean: “shall I comPARE thee TO a SUMmer’s DAY?” It is a classic form for a classic subject. It is simply about the beauty of his face.
However, his attractiveness comes from his appearance as well as his nature – in “Light”, I point out his inner radiance, that creative fire which consumes him. As the light in him grows, the words in the poem become fewer until only one remains: light.
My inspiration for “You in Flower” comes from the first line and title of the poem by Thomas Campion (1567—1620), “There Is A Garden In Her Face”.
SEVEN CIRCUMSTANCES 
“Light” and “You in Flower” images and poems from: Soul Collective – Poems and Paintings, by Marthe Bijman, pp. 11-12. (July 2025, 2nd Ed., Blurb Books, ISBN 979-8-31-996715-2). Paintings: “Light”: Pen and ink wash on board; “You in Flower”, pencil, pen, and acrylic on board.
About these poems
“You in Flower” is an octosyllabic verse. Each line has 8 syllables in Iambic Pentameter, with a total of 8 lines or 2 quatrains. Iambic pentameter is where the emphasis is on every second syllable – as in; “i THINK i THAW a PUSsy CAT”. And, typically Shakespearean: “shall I comPARE thee TO a SUMmer’s DAY?” It is a classic form for a classic subject. It is simply about the beauty of his face.
However, his attractiveness comes from his appearance as well as his nature – in “Light”, I point out his inner radiance, that creative fire which consumes him. As the light in him grows, the words in the poem become fewer until only one remains: light.
My inspiration for “You in Flower” comes from the first line and title of the poem by Thomas Campion (1567—1620), “There Is A Garden In Her Face”.
About Soul Collective
Next time: Songwriting and singing
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