by ~Gregg Rowe~
This poem is response to another poem
that was written by my good friend
Hugh Wyles on this same website.
Please follow the link below
to view his version:
Sonnet on Michaelangelo's "David"
by Hugh Wyles on Jan 16
allpoetry.com/Poem/1761740
~~~~~~~~~~~~
David’s penis and testicles are small
In Michelangelo’s stone sculptured art
Male sex organs now stand in world Great Halls
In the whole creation -- a tiny part
In fifteen o one, The Giant marble stood
A rugged torso, strong limbs, large hands / feet --
Michelangelo was misunderstood :
The art of man -- whole torso -- not just meat
The swelled veins, tightened sinew – David’s pose
Firm body -- face tense, with coiled power
Represented without his warrior clothes
The faults of man is this marble’s tower
’Angelo’s David is all of us men
Our doubts, frustrations, passions -- we pen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author notes
Subduing A Giant
(Excerpted From -- Kleiner, Fred S., Christin J. Mamiya and Richard G. Tansay. Gardener's Art Through The Ages The Western Civilzation: Eleventh Edition . Belmont, California: Wadson/Thomson Learning, 2003. pp. 533-35. www.wadsworth.com.
www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M2b&product_isbn_iss n=0495004782&discipline_number=37
In 1501, the city of Florence asked Michelangelo to work a great block of marble, called “The Giant,” left over from an earlier aborted commission. From this stone, Michelangelo crafted David , the defiant hero of the Florentine republic and, in so doing, assured his reputation then and now as an extraordinary talent. This early work reveals Michelangelo’s fascination with the human form, and David ’s formal references to classical antiquity… [and the male nude form which has often been overlooked in the study of art as compared to the female nude form].
...For David , Michelangelo...choose to represent David not after the victory, with Goliath’s head at his feet, but turning his head to his left, sternly watchful of the approaching foe. His whole muscular body, as well as his face, is tense with gathering power. David exhibit’s the characteristic representation of energy in reserve that imbues Michelangelo’s later figures with the tension of a coiled spring. The young hero’s anatomy plays an important part in this prelude to action. His rugged torso, sturdy limbs, and large hands and feet, alerting viewers to the strength to come, do not consist simply of inert muscle groups, nor did the sculptor idealize them by simplification into broad masses. They serve, by their active play, to enhance the whole mood and posture of tense expectations. Each swelling vein and tightening sinew amplifies the psychological energy of the monumental David’s pose.
Michelangelo doubtless had the classical nude in mind… [To understand the classical male nude one must study the male nude and female nude art forms and their symbolic representation throughout the western civilization art world and the changing meanings throughout the centuries. Classical male and female nude art forms were not pornographic representations that became famous in the twentieth century with the invention of heavy smut and the video machine.]
…He like many of his colleagues, greatly admired Greco-Roman statues, his knowledge limited mostly to Roman sculptures and Roman copies of Greek art… [These nude art forms stood in squares of cities on pillars and represented in almost all art forms of Greek-Roman society. Artists depicted the male art form, not of sexual prowess, but one of extreme strength and power. It was not the size of the penis that made the man, but the temple and power of his whole body.]
…In his David, Michelangelo, without strictly imitating the antique style, captured the tension of Lysippan athletes and the psychological insight and emotionalism of Hellenistic statuary…Michelangelo abandoned the self-contained compositions of the fifteenth-century David statues by giving David’s head the abrupt turn toward his gigantic adversary. Michelangelo’s David is compositionally and emotionally connected to an unseen presence beyond the statue; this, too, is evident in Hellenistic sculpture. As early as the David , then, Michelangelo invested his efforts in presenting towering pent-up emotion rather than calm ideal beauty. He transferred his own doubts, frustrations, and passion into the great figures he created or planned.
And when David slew Goliath, after the surprise look on his face at the gigantic size, proved to man once more than the small penis is mighter than the big penis 
Written January 17th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Ultimate Poetic Challenge II: Seeking Only the Best of the Best Poets! by Avatar of Innocence.
700 points, ended April 27, 2006, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 32 of 32
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Firstly, let me begin by apologizing for not commenting sooner. I had to read this poem a few times to begin to comprehend it.
I cannot begin to describe the depth of this poem. I cannot give you empty praise, for it would be impossible. The truth of this poem is overwhelming: I am in no position, because I lack the growth and understanding, to effectively critique this poem. In short, it is too big, and I am stupid.
Good job. -
Dear Gregg, I'm glad you read Hugh's Sonnet about David and wrote a response to it. Thankyou for putting his link there, he's enjoyed writing some silly sonnets as it takes his mind off his Sister who's dying of cancer. I enjoyed your version just as much as I did his. hmmmmmmmm he cuts a good figure hey?
Love from your
Auzzie
Joan
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The first line made me laugh, but after awhile it began to make me think. In ancient statues or paintings, one sees a common theme with male characters--specifically gods and the like. The penis almost always erect and very large, as if a monument to the male strength and figure. Here with David we have a placid penis of probably normal size, that is not what one would think of as 'powerful' or definitive male 'strength'. Yet the piece manages to give off both strength, power, and a certain melchancoly that is not present in older works that simply showed a huge phallus. So while it's rather funny that I'm even talking about a penis, it's also an important trait that has changed dramatically throughout the history of art. The poem itself is well written and flows nicely, go David! lol
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Nice
I can't say this is my type of poem. But its a nice poem and well written. You must have a good head on your shoulders to write something this unique. Good write, well written. Just wanted to let you know that your poem was nice. -
The power is rather behind the pen than the penis. Hahaa. Great write here. It has a humorous and yet intellectual side to it.
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I think conveyed the idea of the article in poetic form. The form of the sonnet seems good to me. The abbreviation of 'Angelo's does make that line's rhythm seem a bit forced. Overall, well written.
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I thought this was great. The sculpture is really amazing and beautiful. I loved the information you provided in your comments as well. Very informative. Your poem was beautifully written and I loved the last two stanza's in particular.
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Dear Gregg,
I suppose that I am entitled to regard your writing of this sonnet in response to my tongue-in-cheek observations on Michaelangelo Buonarrotti's masterpiece as evidence that you actually read my poem and that this is by way of your comment on it. If this is the case, I am complimented.
It is good that you have presented this scholarly appraisal of
a wonderful and enduring artwork which balances the lighthearted ribaldry of my Louvre and Silly Songs series which were written purely as humorous observations on great works of art and obviously not intended to express the sincere critical opinions of the Author.
You may care to present also a defence of da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Edouard Manet's paintings?
Applause and best regards. Hugh. -
Well I'd never noticed the small penis, so that part of your poem was original and new for me- ha, ha. But I liked it.
Also, I like how you took another poem and sculpture and chose to write about it, that makes for a very interesting conversation piece I think. You also kept it very light which I found surprising. I guess I was expecting more an historical insight into the artwork, but I like your perspective here nonetheless, and you came back at the end in the comments with a very nicely written historical brief.
The whole concept on which you centered the poem about how this sculpture describes mankind was also very good, as I like how you drew it back to society in that way.
The only thing I might need more clarification is why the last work is "pen." I know this rhymes, but I don't get the connection here, or its placement in the poetry.
Very nice work though.
Tara -
well written... very interesting
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A brilliant, informative and artistic write, Gregg, one which I found very interesting .... It's always good to learn some history and facts behind poetry and prose about real people, living, dead, or just plain ancient
I enjoyed this very much. I've read Hugh's sonnet and between the two of them, there's a touch of something for everyone, I think. You're both such expressive, really good writers
You've done a great job with this piece.
Love and
Dee
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Interesting & Instructive
It is commendable how you are dependable
In researching, not besmirching your subject
Your analysis is defendable and most recommendable
With you all of us can connect
Keep up the very fine work
Don't let any stupid jerk
Who out of ignorance would besmirch
Your very very very fine work
It is those very special like you
Who we are blessed to have see us through
So gracious as to teach us something new
lordoftherings, we all thank you -
Middle Draft Stage
An aside on David: I think we should remember that David is a boy--thus accounting for various features! This sonnet works as a tongue in cheek piece, with iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme fairly true to form! It moves into deeper waters in the last quatrain, hitting upon some insights that I think deserve more concerted reflection. Perhaps another sonnet with those more serious thoughts in mind? The lines: David’s penis and testicles are small
In Michelangelo’s stone sculptured art
Male sex organs now stand in world Great Halls
In the whole creation -- a tiny part
are clever and humorous, but not in keeping with the last quatrain (and vice versa)--not that you can't mix the sublime and the absurd, but I'm just trying to prod you toward a more noble venture. The photo of the statue itself is quite good and compelling--awesome might be the word, and has moved me to perhaps try a sonnet or two on the subject!
I really enjoyed this piece!! Keep up the great thinking and work! -
David is all of us men
Our doubts, frustrations, passions -- we pen.
-Absolutely gorgeous. Rarely do I come across such well-crafted poems of traditional and ancient form. Your content and wordplay is stunning, taking the reader beyond the mere appreciation for the statue and the symbolism that lies in the struggle of all men's lives. This completely echoes the sentiments of a poem I posted recently on this site called "Love Is A Capsule." Please feel free to read it as well as any/all other works in my catalogue on allpoetry. I certainly intend to returnt he favor.
-Curtis Meyer -
Brilliant piece. Came in nicely since I was actually talking about this piece of art today. It was both interesting to read about it and to read the poem. It was something I have never actually seen written on here before, and thus I was naturally intrigued to read about it. I'm very glad I did now because it was a good piece that was very well written. I hope to see more like it soon.
Well done, keep up the good work. -
A wonderful response Keep writing, I loved your rhyme here A wise poem about the artwork which flowed really well
All the best
Pozo
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Hillarious poem...and extremely well written...U know, I never found that statue the least bit appealing, and I love almost all types of art...that one just didn't appeal to me! Great write!
--Animepoetess
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this is such a well written piece, great job!
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After reading H. Wyles' poem.... of course, the sling!
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some ppl might blush from this but not me anyone whos anyone knows the infamous Statue of David; the poem itself has deep meaning and the rhyming was well configured into the imaginary of it all
Rae -
Interesting perspective on David by Michelangelo with its large hands that stand out so much on this statue .. So much for saying the hands tell the secret, huh? I see a lot of Michelangelo standing there in his statue "David". During his life, Michelangelo eventually gave up his sexuality altogether and focused completely on his art and sciences. To me Michelangelo was showing this aspect of himself to his audience, saying 'The works of my hands tell the world who I am, not my penis nor my sexuality.' yet no matter how much he tried to step away from it, his human sexuality seeped through in his art anyway... some of the greatest art existing. Very well done, both on the poem and the history of the statue. -Pome
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I enjoyed reading about Michelangelo's David. It is a powerful piece of art, and I am in awe of the detail he is able to capture in stone because it seems such an unyielding medium for art. Yet the world is full of stone structures. Incredible!
I am wondering what David holds in his left hand.
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The poem was light hearted, and I felt like perhaps it was going to wind up as some kind of smutty joke. It didn't, but that was the expectation the meter gave me. I think because the poem switched casually between trochaic and iambic. I found your author comments to be very interesting however, and the poem was a good introduction to them.
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This is a very well written piece, nicely done.
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Well maybe it was a cold day when the model posed for him,lol, good sonnet, very different from the norm, but why not? I had my knuckles rapped for using the sentance they don't give a damn , in a Shakespearean sonnet, I think it is a matter that could be discussed at length, liked this a lot, hugs Di
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Awesome job lordoftherings (which by the way is my most favorite movies of all time). I really like your response! And, thanks so much for the historical background, really makes it even better! Seeing this reminds me of my high school art teacher, she wrapped a piece of yarn around her litte minature David to hide is fruit of the looms !
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Actually,
That is very good work! Great thoughts, Great picture
the wording may or may not be too much, but the description is excellent. I enjoy the subject and the subject matter.
Very well done. Good Luck
Edited on Jan 23, 9:50 because 'edited to remove spam'. -
As a self proclaimed artist (ha ha) I completely enjoyed this little history lesson and iambic perameter or not - I enjoyed your verse.
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Excellent!! Two thumbs up!!
Exquisite the art form of the human body is a mastery to compose by the artist a difficult task requiring skill it is the most beautiful creations an artist can take to task it is this beauty you have in words and wonder of your works given life and credence Thank you for sharing this exquisite art form
Brava!! Brilliantly orchestrated
Wishing you much success in all of your endeavors
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Hi Gregg.
In a number of ways your sonnet is great. In order to read it as IAMBIC pentameter though I am having to stress the wrong syllable on a lot of words. For instance, your first line, "David’s penis and testicles are small" would flow better if you did something with it like saying, "Now David's penis; testicles are small". The way you have it the reader is struffling to say da VID'S when the natural pronounciation is DA vid's.
The second line goes well.
"Male sex organs now stand in world Great Halls" doesn't really make a lot of sense to me. "Male sex organs now stand" sounds like your saying guys get hard ons. "These organs now revealed in hallowed halls" would work better for me. Also, I don't understand why you have capped 'Great Halls'.
Line four...Just a little twitch there and it's perfect. How about, 'In vast creation they're a tiny part'?
etc. etc.
It looks like you just need to think more upon the meaning of 'iambic'.
cheers
Edited on Jan 17, 9:16 because ''. -
This was always one of my most favorite works of art. One of my dreams in life is too see this statue. I remember some years ago it came to New York City and I was very tempted to go and see it there. To me seeing David outside of where he "lives' isn't quite the same. I wil wait and someday see it there. I studied art history in collage and Michaelangelo was my favorite.
You did a nice job with your sonnet, Greg.
cheryl
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oh bravo. this was quite a historically interesting and socially stimulating little sonnet. it also let the reader look inward. great work. i love it when i run across a bit of novelty around here. sometimes all the poetry seems to sound the same. thank you thank you thank you for this delightful read. much love, robin
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