Thoughts on “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt.
This painting is quite ‘cool’ but I’m afraid I have to say
that I find it strange this kneeling girl has turned her face away.
Perhaps she doesn’t like the taste of liquor on his lips
although she does encourage him with her right fingertips
caressing his bent neck. See round his nape her small hand slips?
You think maybe his hidden knees are pressing on her hips?
Her left hand seems prepared his bold advances to repel.
Perhaps it’s not the taste she hates, but the tobacco smell?
couple who osculate
if no attraction fascinate
nothing will eventuate
I think that Klimt was rather mean this painting to bequeath
with all those robes concealing what they’re doing underneath!
But Austrians are a prudish lot, they don’t know what they’ve missed
if that’s the best that they can do when trying to get kissed!
For kissing, just like painting, is a cultivated art
requiring mouth to mouth resuscitation, lips apart.
Hugh Wyles, July 14th. 2005.
Author notes
This Sonnaiku (in iambic heptameter with rhyme scheme:
aabbbbcc ddd eeff gg) was inspired by Elusive Butterfly's Poem "The Kiss" allpoetry.com/Poem/1388479
Written July 14th, 2005
In a list
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What did you think
Comments
1 - 19 of 19
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Oh dear, Hugh! How scandalous!
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Dear Elisa,
~~~
As you are only fifteen, dear, you still have lots of time
to learn the art of kissing. For the present, learn to rhyme
for kissing's not as difficult as writing rhyming verse.
All unrhymed poetry, to me, than wet kissing is worse!
So practice writing rhyme, my dear; I'll help and you won't miss
and, when you reach eighteen, my dear, I'll teach you how to kiss.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh (age 74yrs.)
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At fifteen I have only had a kiss or two
and the experience I shall never miss
Here, let me explain to you
This immature boy that I happened to kiss
really did not know how
He did not realize the 'mouth to mouth resuscitation'
though I am sure he does now
Really, he needs a lesson!
Just so you know, in that picture, the woman looks as if she is about to go into some convulsion! Of horror or pleasure, I do not know, but judging from the expression on her face I would have to say that it would be horror!
Elisa
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Dear Katilina,
~~~
I hope I haven't ruined your previous appreciation
of Mister Klimt's conservative and unexciting kiss,
but I fear the genteel lady should apply more concentration
for kissing is a serious art and not just hit or miss.
Though "Big Jugs" (who is Austrian) may find some consolation
from having her neck kissed (and, what she says, I don't deplore),
I'm sure that, if she tried some concentrated osculation,
she'd get greater satisfaction and achieve a higher score
and, long before she finished, she'd be wanting more and more,
provided it was prop'ly done and didn't make her sore!!
~~~
Thanks for your comment and applause.
Love and kisses XXX
Hugh.
Edited on Jul 29, 1:01 because ''. -
I love the humor in this write. I never looked at the painting in that way before. It almost has changed everything for me. I really did love that painting. I really liked your thoughts and observations. it is good to look at things in a different light. Catch on the flip side.
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Dear Hugh, Well, you certainly have us all wondering with this, Is she resisting his advances? Me thinks the lady doth protest too much. What are they doing under all those robes?
She looks like she's enjoying whatever he's doing! I agree kisses on the lips can be very thrilling. HMMMMMMMM I wonder?
Hugs Bea
Applause -
Dear Anne,
~~~
It's not surprising that you find this pic confusing.
The maid to me seems near to be the man's amours refusing.
And why that kneeling posture, pray, instead of comfy seat?
My mother always used to say: "Don't kiss girls with bare feet!"
However, I don't really see the whole thing as amusing;
I fear that tragic lover his seductive charm is losing.
I reckon he has liquor smell or garlic on his breath
or, maybe, he he's been smoking which would be the kiss of death!
~~~
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. (Aka: KKK = "King Kleenair Kisser")
Edited on Jul 29 because ''. -
Dear Miss Juggs!
~~~
Your pressing invitation I most readily accept
I'm sure, at kissing as with poetry, you're most adept.
Lets not be hasty, let us savour each sensation slower
and, afterwards, perhaps adjourn unto your private bower.
~~~
Love and hugs, XXX Confhughcius.
PS: By the way that look is one of boredom, possibly even mild nausea?
Edited on Jul 29, 1:04 because ''. -
Dear Juggsy,
Though you may have learned kissing at some chaste Austrian school
in every walk of life there are exceptions to the rule.
It's far from my intention to infer that YOU are prudish
for, though you may be Austrian, you've ancestry Judaish
and, from those genes you've got the means, for artistry and wit
which is amply illustrated here by much of what you've writ.
While I agree that kissing on the neck is not uncouth,
there is nowhere would quite compare with kissing mouth-to-mouth.
Confucius says: "Are many ways to rouse a woman'e ardour.
If kissing not at first succeed, then man must do it harder!"
But something's wrong with love's sweet song when face is turned away.
If side of neck is all you peck it's gonna take all day!!
Nay! Give me a pair of willing* lips, a mouth I cannot miss,
and I will try to demonstrate the power of a kiss!
~~~
Love, hugs and kisses! Hugh.
Edited on Jul 16, 1:49 because '* luscious/hungry/wanton/willing?'. -
Dear Hugh
Although the painting shown above I find a bit confusing
I really like your poem and find it tres amusing.
Love & Hugs XXX
Anne
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intresting~
Different write from you da but I love it all the same
Her neck looks like she has a bad crick in it
He is kissing her it looks like...she is not him
Refusal maybe
Love n hugs
Susan~~~
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Your confhughcian sonnaiku looks great
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Dear Margaret, Mary and Mari (MMM),
~~~
You must remember this
a kiss is not a kiss
if feelings you deny.
Confhughcius rightly say:
"If kiss only oneway
the whole thing pie-in-sky."
~~~
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
Dear Carol,
~~~
Oh! I believe implicitly
the path to utter bliss
involves complete complicity
and I would fain not miss
the thrill and electricity
of Shewolfnative's kiss!
~~~
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
I was inspired by Mari to add the extra (rhyming) haiku, converting the original sonnet to a confhughcian sonnaiku.
Edited on Jul 14, 2:35 p.m. because ''. -
This painting is one of my favorites, I have it on a t-shirt, and met a good friend when she admired the image. I think you make some good points about the kiss itself, it is not the melting and lovely expression of love one might hope for, look at the tension in her feet. Definitely, he is kissing her, not she him! I love the way you have expressed your reservations in verse, very witty and fun.
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smiles
A kiss is not a kiss, dear Sire, unless we lead you fellas on
we pretend we want, we want not, forsooth, the guile we don.
Sire, what sometimes is most difficult to acquire
builds up the great emotion as for something we require.
Why think you, Eskimo Nell wore hides three layers thick?
Was to rouse, curiosity, and imaginations's prick.
One hand says, "Come hither," and the other says, "Hold off!"
As for why she's on her knees? Dear, Sir, I can not scoff!
Come here and let me show you, when Queen looks not this way.
I'll teach you joy is seperating the curds from the whey!
grins and ducks again
Edited on Jul 14, 9:54 because 'inevitable typos'. -
This is delightful. (The poem not the painting as I do agree with Mari. It is odd and, to me, unappealing). I love your take on their odd posing.
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close mouths
touches of lips apart
seal a kiss
Hm, kissing is good when there is no bad taste involved
This is very amusing dear dad, but that picture is weird. I guess the lady there has a huge pain in her neck.
Here, some fresh kisses to you
Tu hija,
Mari
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