After Franz Marc Postcards, by Richard Weaver

Postcard, by Franz Marc (Germany) c. 1913/1914

Dancer from the Court of King Jussuf 

We are searching 
for a heated wine
the colour of 
your imagination.
Nothing local of course 
comes close.
And Berlin 
or Vienna 
are not options 
for a thank-offering 
as we well know.
Such a dance 
requires a pyramid 
of kisses, 
and a wine 
coloured by gods, 
but flavoured 
with crystalline 
kisses.

​

Postcard, by Franz Marc (Germany) c. 1913/1914

The Three Panthers (Prince and Poet)

On the prowl 
with your 
three new friends
in Munich I’m sure, 
and equally sure 
that your letter back 
will be filled 
with words and images 
of everything, 
everything the eye 
can see,
the ear hear, 
and the heart
demands 
to imagine.

Postcard, by Franz Marc (Germany) c. 1913/1914

​Times of Peace

Here there are dreams 
and low-lying fruit
in the golden dreams. 
We wait for you here.
We bleat happily 
to the grandmother sheep
who wish you well 
as do Mareia and I.
May these days of rest 
and peace
find you here with us. 
Berlin is a cold place
no matter what time of year. Come and gambol.
We await your warming 
presence. Leave now.
There is much 
to be harvested. 
And nothing to be gained 
from the cold hostel 
on Theresienstrasse.

​

Postcard, by Franz Marc (Germany) c. 1913/1914

Black Horse

The ride ends 
where its shadow began
and where lights seeks 
to distance itself
from the moon’s 
constant misery.
Where this world’s visions
no longer satisfy or inspire, 
where anger slams the door 
behind you and your new role 
as expatriate     leeches you 
bloodless, and leaves 
your dark horse hobbled 
and without vision. 
We read your stories, 
and always  remain 
your mirror, reflecting back 
our love. Your love
and your life are safe with us.

yrs F & M

Postcard, by Franz Marc (Germany) c. 1913/1914

Bluish Mythical Creature

My heart breaks 
the green 
wax seal. We wonder 
whether happiness 
can ever be your friend 
again? I know I presume. 
It is the silence 
that talks. The silence 
that demands an answer. 
I know you understand.
The red sun, 
the blue horse 
and crescent rainbow,
your favored stars 
and Sister Mareia 
need to hear 
your silver voice. 
Only your being here 
with us, will suffice.

​Richard Weaver

Author's Note: In the early part of the 2oth century Franz Marc and his wife, Maria, befriended a woman - Else Lasker-Schuler - who was a novelist, playwright, poet, dancer, and artist. She was also a Jew in WW 1 Germany. Marc liked to paint postcards which he sent to his friends. Lasker-Schuler received 28 such painted cards before Marc was killed in the war. I have taken the images and in some few cases portions of the handwritten text as vehicles for each poem. They form the centerpiece section - “The Tower of Blue Horses” for a larger manuscript about Marc- An Old Darkness Deepens.  I am indebted to Philip Wilson Publishers for Franz Marc: The Complete Works Volume 1-3. 
 
The author lives in Baltimore City where he volunteers at the Maryland Book Bank, CityLit, the Baltimore Book Festival, and acts as the Archivist-at-large for a Jesuit College. He is the author of The Stars Undone (Duende Press). Recent poems from the An Old Darkness Deepens manuscript have appeared in 2River View, Aberration Labyrinth, Clade Song, Conjunctions, Gingerbread House, Twisted Vine Leaves, Repurposed Magazine, Adelaide Magazine, and Underfoot.