Monday, July 23, 2007

Illustration Friday - Poem 1

So the word for Illustration Friday this week is "Poem". I notice most folks are illustrating a specific poem, rather than the general concept of poetry, so I decided to do the same. This is a poem I wrote about 5 years before I retired, rather a dark period of my life.

Tired

by Focus

© 2000 Focus, all rights reserved

Tired, I stumble to shower.
Tired, drive yawning to work.
Tired, drag home to grade papers,
Tired, and slightly berserk!

Tired, I answer phone's ringing.
Tired, tell slick salesmen "No Thanks."
Tired, "No, this is wrong number."
Tired, I growl at phone pranks.

Tired, I balance bank statement.
Tired, sort bills in tall stacks.
Tired, appease bill collectors.
Tired, I write out the checks.

Tired of my worry, and weary.
Tired of dark blame thrown my way.
Tired of dirt, dust and laundry.
Bone tired, in a life gone dull gray.


And here is the illustration I just did for the poem:

19 comments:

Nicole Florian said...

This is a very expressive portrait!
I hope you are now more optimistic.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who has taught or has intensively cared for others knows the feeling of being bone tired and your picture in greys captures the experience.

biteyourowntail said...

Have CFS so I know this feeling. Bet you were glad to retire. Very expressive.

Focus_ret said...

Yes, Nicole, I'm in a much better situation now than I was then. And being retired, I am no longer exhausted! :-)

Ellen Byrne said...

Oh, my goodness! I hope it helped to let it all out!

studio lolo said...

I'd say you made the right decision to retire. Good for you! Nice using greys to convey your message.
As for me, I'll have to work until I drop.

steve said...

Thanks for sharing--the drawing/poem is excellent and I'm sure we all get to feeling like this every so often. I've got a feeling things are much brighter these days for you, hopefully.

Anonymous said...

Oh oh the face expression.I like it. :)

Loni Edwards said...

This is a fantastic painting. Not only is it honest, but it is so expressive. I have had a few times in my life when I felt exactly like that. Great job, I'm glad you're in a better place now :)

JC said...

The last line of your poem definately sums it all up! As I read that line, I wondered, gee I wonder what the illustration is for this? It suited the tone of your poem perfectly.

And I, too, am glad you are no longer exhausted. =)

soulbrush said...

i am feeling exactly like this right now, having completed yet another year teaching 5 year olds.
can't retire yet, want to, not able, damn..............i do still love those little ones and what i can do fot them. damn..........

Focus_ret said...

Loni and Rawini, that is exactly what I was going for in this portrait - not a likeness, but the expression: exhaustion.

Heartful said...

Wow, I'm feeling that tiredness. Here's sending you bursts of energy and light...

Janice Ykema said...

very cool... and expressive feeling picture! Sometimes its therapeutic to see it down on paper or illustrated. :)

Focus_ret said...

Forever Young, I know exactly what you mean. You love the job, but it wears you out.

Heartful, thanks. I can always use more energy and light.

Quite true, Janice.

timafli said...

I like this extreme expression of tired...very powerful.

Unknown said...

What a creative response to your feelings.

Unknown said...

Did you do the portrait around the same time that you did the poem? It so perfectly express the poem. Teaching is probably the most exhausting job ever! I taught pre-school for one year and when I was sick, I was tired!

Focus_ret said...

No, Bettsi, I just did the painting the day before I posted it, whereas I wrote the poem several years ago. Despite the fact that I can nap now when I'm tired, I can still vividly recall what total exhaustion feels like.

Thanks, Timafli and Lois. :-)