The following three poems composed by Kentucky resident, Kelsey McMurtrey, with accompanying artwork by Monologging artist and Hawaii resident, Lauren Elyse, continue the collaboration this pair began last November, entitled Vignette. Since embarking on this project, Kelsey’s poetry and Lauren’s paintings have been viewed by over 1,000 visitors, demonstrating the power of monologging.org to bring creative networks together through artistic collaboration. Kelsey and Lauren are now in the beginning stages of writing and designing a composite book derived from their bimonthly installments originally published online. The two converse primarily via email and their exciting collaboration has inspired thematic discussions and imaginative storytelling. Lauren’s paintings take us back in time to the glory days of show girls and Hollywood magic. Likewise, Kelsey’s delicate prose, reminiscent of John Dos Passos’, USA Trilogy, embraces iconic history, creating new scenes, characters and powerful moods….

 

Vignette II

 

 

Audrey

 

A soft statue,

captured in smooth black silhouettes

and almond-eyed smiles.

Painted in thin brush strokes,

a raised pointed shoe,

an illumination—

elevé.

 

Teetering glissades brought

keys for locked doors and stuck windows—

rising, she flew through.

Into static-filled television sets

and wrinkled radio waves.

 

Yearning

for laughter, for grace,

she stood center floor—

delivering the light

she sought.

 

Cliff House

 

Carriage-drawn and carefree,

they came to me.

I carried iced glasses

and clinking crystal parties—

stood majestic,

floating.

Your biting orange whips

flickered, cracked—

took me.

Tossed silver trays

and deep burgundy heels—

latched onto mauve curtains,

pulled at sweating oak floors,

turned evening revelries

to limp ash,

falling.

Smoke poured from windows

like bottles of Chablis—

fleeting staccato exits

filled my empty belly.

You left me

in a watery bed,

silverware drawers glued shut,

dead chandeliers

swaying in grey saltwater.

But I was not forgotten—

made alive again

through humming violin strings,

riding on crisp coat tails

and painted matrons,

I thrive—

leaving your flames thirsty.

Muted Gestures

 

You’re here now,

binding me with wringing hands

and buttery promises,

stealing words from my painted lips

and watching lungs cave in—

my eyelids are hinged,

heavy.

 

Drop me,

unfurl me from this tinted box.

Careful not to smear this painted face,

smiling but

silent.

 

Let me dance in opaque enclosures

with laced eyelashes

and vibrant company,

freed from ropes

and smoky conversation pieces—

do you hear me?

 

READ MORE VIGNETTES

Post Photo Courtesy of Lauren Elyse