Ekphrastic poems exist to respond to a piece of art critically, analytically, and reverentially.
The Crystal Ball is a charming painting from John William Waterhouse which features a plethora of influences from Renaissance architecture to British Pre-Raphaelites like Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais. ~ via John William Waterhouse
Many thanks to Rebecca Budd, who introduced us to the art of John William Waterhouse for this challenge. Her blog, Chasing Art, is full of poetic inspiration!
Written for Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge:
Write your poem inspired by the painting, using a syllabic form from the cheat sheet or from the poetscollective.org/poetryforms. Here is more information on how to write an Ekphrastic poem: How Do You Write an Ekphrastic Poem.
Today I chose A Classic Etheree AND A Reverse Etheree: One subject, unrhymed and with a title. Hope you enjoy it.
Mad Madam Hell! Her life no longer rife with wild romps and acts like pre-teens from love’s reflexive taunts. Instead, hallucinations — corridors with mouths that speak loud and riled whispers hid within closed rooms, Who let them in when the madam rested? When will they depart, let her be? Alone in fields of pleasure in stifled sighs for her dearest lest haply, dead. By and by, lucid that day she scouts his office for eidolons with clues: she finds whys, whence, hitherto. The knave swoons.
Thanks for reading, dear friends. I wish you miracles.
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This is great, Selma 🙂 Well done!
Aww ☺️ thanks, D.L. Glad you liked it. xoxo
Amazing poem, Selma. I’ve never tried to write an Etheree with a Reverse Etheree. What an amazing feat! You’ve offered an incredible story and used the image beautifully. 💗
Gwen. Hello. Thanks for reading this one and so glad you found it worthy of a comment.
doubly happy. I bless you.
And I think you’re being modest with me about not trying the form. Believe me, if I could attempt it and get a nod from others, you definitely can. Let me know when you post one. Be well. xoxo
I have never heard of an Etheree with a Reverse Etheree. I have much to learn. I’m looking forward to connecting and following your blog, Selma. And a special thanks for Colleen for the introduction!
I’m so pleased to be able to bring you something new. I’m so sure you will teach me a lot more as we advance into the weekly challenges. Colleen has a great thing going here. It’s a great place to learn. Nice meeting you. I bless you.
This is fantastic, Selma! I love how this format gives way to a story. 🙂
Yvette, You’re sweet to me. And I saw you also shared it. Oh, darling, thanks so much. I appreciate you. Be well. I bless you.
I love the flow of this double etheree with a story. Superb!
So nice poem Selma. I like. Amazing art pic.👌
Hey, Raj. You rock. Thanks for the visit. xoxo
Brilliant, Selma! Really captures the mood of the painting ❤️
Ingrid, your visit blesses me. Thanks so very much. I bless you.
Etheree with a story, great read, Selma. 🙂
Very glad you read, dear one. Thanks so much.
Ah new word in eidolons; and a story worth continuing. 🙂
You have captured many details and made it your own. Delightful. Something I could see happening within the time frame of the image…
So much intruige and mystery.
Jules. Thanks so much for the visit. I appreciate you. Have a great Sunday. xoxo
The Etheree poetry is so perfect for poetic stories, Selma. You did fabulous. <3
Aww. Coming from you… I’m very encouraged. Thanks for the prompt. I bless you.
Thanks, Selma. 🙏🏻❤️
A poetic story well done. Very cool.
D. Howdy. Thanks for finding it to your liking my dear lady. I appreciate you. xoxo
Lovely story of a mad madam 🙂
hehe, Jane. Yup, the knave killed her husband… Oh, my, imagine that. One would need to be mad to do something like that. And the pieces are just revealing themselves to her as she scouts through the office.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Stay sweet.
You are always welcome dear. I think madams are mad that is why in the word itself mad word is there.😜
Right!
❤️❤️
I love what you did with this, Selma! Bravo 💕🙂
So happy you enjoyed how I played with the prompt. And thanks for sharing it on Twitter, Harmony, dear. I so appreciate that. xoxo
A wonderful and evocative double etheree.
Glad you liked it dear friend. xoxo