The Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, at a place in the hills near Oslo said he heard a scream from nature and that it was this that inspired him to paint his famous haunting picture ‘The Scream’.
THE SCREAM
A scream was heard from nature
Where hills and valley blend;
A haunting cry so shrill and pure
The Nordic air did rend.
Recorded by the Artist’s brush
A figure of gaunt despair;
Painted in dire darkened flush,
For one to stand and stare.
No hope shows upon this face
Of grim surreality;
Futility and fear of every race
Wherever they may be.
An endless shiver reaches out
From that Maestro past;
Touching all; the meek, the stout,
A thought conveyed to last.
Oh! Edvard Munch did you foresee,
Your merging of mind and skill,
Mesmerise the world and me
By a moment in life’s mill?
Monty Alexander 18.2.05