Background on The Haywain and Bosch
The following poem I'm pretty proud of. It is inspired by the 15th century Triptych by Hieronymus Bosch. A triptych is a three-paneled painting usually used as an altar piece during the Renaissance. Bosch was a Dutch painter of the High Renaissance or Late Gothic period. The Triptych was painted sometime between 1485 and 1490. He is known for his surreal and shocking images that are usually loaded with symbolism, especially Christian symbolism. Sin and punishment tends to be a central theme to his surviving paintings. He is best known for his monstrous images of Hell.
The Haywain is based on an old Flemish proverb, "The earth is a haystack, and each man plucks what he can." The metaphor is pretty clear. We all grasp and struggle for temporal things and relish in sin, which leads to damnation. But if we just slow down and cast our eyes above, Christ and salvation is just not within reach but all around us.
So my poem goes along with the Triptych. Having some background to the painting I feel heightens its power. Pictured above is the center painting of the Haywain. I couldn't find a complete pic large enough to give the whole triptych justice so I have not shown the whole painting. The smaller painting on the left is an image of Heaven and the right is an image of Hell.
The Haywain
by Mark A Trexler
Each obsessed with earthly gain
All piled in battle upon the wain.
Gold and silver clutched in hands
Jewels and silks and emerald bands.
In Heaven above Christ's eternal love soars
Ridiculed below by atheists and whores.
All snatching and hoarding what they can
Ignorant of the crucified savior of man.
Avarice hearts and fastidious clothes
Cannot compare with wine and loaves.
Turn from sin and redemption seek.
Salvation for the just and meek.
Fall to your knees and hold the righteous way
All these earthly riches, nothing more than hay.
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