Ekphrastic poetry

1/18/2022

Hello blog friends! I hope you've a warm fireplace during this cold spell. What a winter, right? Well, here's something to brighten the day. Author Colleen Chesebro provides another poetry prompt -- this time, a beautiful painting by John William Waterhouse. She asks that we explore Ekphrastic poetry, which is poetry inspired by visual art, and use the painting as inspiration.

My response is an Etheree poem consisting of ten lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 syllables.
This is a first for me. I hope you like it.

The Knock At The Door

dreams
arise
hope teases
while gazing down
through a clear glass ball
her sweet heart pounds louder
begging only for resolve
does he love me or does he not
silence answers as the raindrops fall
she tears but then hears the knock at the door

46 Comments

ben Alexander link

1/18/2022 11:56:38

<blockquote>as the raindrops fall</blockquote>That is such a lovely detail to include, Gwen - just perfect for the mood of the painting!

<3
David

Gwen Plano

1/18/2022 12:35:10

So kind of you to say, David. Thank you. 😊

Colleen link

1/18/2022 11:56:45

Gwen, I love this Etheree. I think you captured so much of what I saw in the painting, too. The knock at the door is such a perfect ending! <3

Gwen Plano

1/18/2022 12:33:57

Thank you so much, Colleen. The painting is extraordinary and lends itself to poetic expression.

John Howell link

1/18/2022 17:16:44

Beautiful poem, Gwen. I still don't know why I got the notification 12 hours after you posted. Well, the important thing is I got it and it is wonderful

Gwen Plano

1/18/2022 17:56:13

It's a mystery for me as well, John. It's weebly and not your site. Thank you for the kind comment. Much appreciated. 😊

Priscilla Bettis link

1/18/2022 17:55:37

Gwen, your poem is beautiful, especially when read out loud. Also, the shape of the text reminds me of a woman in a long dress that kisses the floor.

Gwen Plano

1/18/2022 17:58:36

Thank you so much, Priscilla. Your lovely insight about the shape of the text, brought a smile. 😊

D.L. Finn

1/18/2022 18:14:43

I love this, Gwen. I felt like I was reading a story and wondered who was on the other side of that door. I hoping it was her love.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:45:24

Thanks so much, Denise. I'm hoping for the same. 💕

CS Boyack

1/18/2022 18:32:41

Run away, dude. She already has one skull on the table.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:46:33

Hilarious, Craig! 😁 That's something to think about for sure.

Jacquie Biggar

1/18/2022 19:26:12

Lol, I got a kick out of Craig's comment :)
Love this, Gwen <3

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:49:34

Like you, Jacquie, he made me laugh. So funny. Thank you for commenting. 😁

Elizabeth Gauffreau link

1/19/2022 04:07:34

I enjoyed your ekphrastic poem a great deal! (I think he loves her.)

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:50:49

Thank you, Liz. It was fun responding to this prompt. Such a beautiful painting! 😊

Harmony Kent link

1/19/2022 04:30:42

Beautifully done, Gwen. Great take on the prompt 💕🙂

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:51:38

Thank you, Harmony. I just read your poem, and it is extraordinary. 😊

Jill Weatherholt link

1/19/2022 04:42:07

This was beautiful, Gwen. Wonderful! I'm laughing at Craig's comment.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:52:53

I'm still laughing at Craig's comment. Thank you, Jill. 😁

Joan link

1/19/2022 04:52:49

Beautiful poem, Gwen.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 06:53:09

Thank you so much, Joan.

Staci Troilo link

1/19/2022 06:55:45

Such a lovely poem, Gwen. So uplifting at the end. Thanks for sharing.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 15:09:40

Thank you, Staci. I'm so glad you lilked it. 😊

Mae Clair link

1/19/2022 07:11:44

Aww, I love the way this ends. So beautiful, Gwen!

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 15:10:12

Thank you, Mae. Just had to have a happy ending. 😊

Natalie Ducey link

1/19/2022 08:23:11

A lovely piece to share, Gwen. Thank you! :)

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 15:10:34

Thanks so much, Natalie. 😊

Roberta Eaton Cheadle

1/19/2022 10:17:04

Hi Gwen, what a lovely picture and your poem is just perfect.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 15:11:17

Thank you, Robbie. I enjoyed writing this poem...from such a beautiul picture. 😊

Jan Sikes

1/19/2022 10:38:58

A beautiful Etheree, Gwen. So much emotion going on in those short lines.

Gwen Plano

1/19/2022 15:11:59

Thank you, Jan. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. 😊

Yvette M Calleiro link

1/19/2022 16:49:25

I absolutely love this poem, Gwen! I was with her through every line. Well done! :-)

Gwen Plano

1/20/2022 12:48:22

Thank you so much, Yvette. Warms my heart. 😊

Selma Martin link

1/20/2022 03:04:26

Oh my. Just wonderful. Love the details. thanks for sharing. blessings.

Gwen Plano

1/20/2022 12:49:00

Thank you, Selma, so kind of you to say. Blessings to you as well. 😊

Balroop Singh link

1/20/2022 16:25:07

I love the positive interpretation of this painting Gwen. Well-penned!

Gwen Plano

1/22/2022 10:43:51

Thank you very much, Balroop. 😊

theindieshe link

1/21/2022 11:34:10

Story in a verse beautifully penned!

Gwen Plano

1/22/2022 10:44:23

Very kind of you to say, thank you! 🙂

Elizabeth link

1/21/2022 17:55:01

Secret messages! I love it!

Gwen Plano

1/22/2022 10:47:26

Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm so glad you liked it. 😊

Diana Peach link

1/22/2022 09:42:37

Oh, so pretty, Gwen. I love the mystery of that knock. Will her crystal-ball dreams be answered? Wonderful take on the prompt. :-D

Gwen Plano

1/22/2022 10:46:39

Thank you so much, Diana. It's a beautiful prompt to respond to. 😊

D. Avery link

1/23/2022 05:31:54

You tell about what is going on inside the room but enhance the story with the details of outside the room, the rain, the knocking the silence even. Well done.

Selma Martin link

1/27/2022 05:45:37

Oh, yes, I like this. Very much. Great job, Gwen. Keep going. xoxo

Ekphrastic poetry

Leave a Reply.

Archives