A friend and I were discussing
ekphrastic poetry the other day, but the word ekphrastic had escaped those file folders in my mind.
The more I tried to describe what I meant, the more it sounded like I had no
idea and my words kept dragging me farther and farther down a rabbit hole. (I
even have two poems from a few years ago that appeared in an ekphrastic anthology It's called The Way the Light Slants and it could use a few reviews. Take a look.) Honestly, even though it’s a device I use often, the word ekphrastic
doesn’t ring a bell from my memories of high school or college English. According
to Wikipedia, “In ancient times it referred to a description of anything,” this
of course, I think is hilarious.
Anything?
So even after reading the fancy online
descriptions about ekphrastic poetry, I’m thinking the word is bandied about to
alienate the average poet from those who have a higher, perhaps snobbier idea
of literature. Can you hear my audible sigh?
Poetry should be for everyone.
 |
| By Dante Gabriel Rossetti |
Of course, a great vocabulary can elevate
poetry to higher, more sophisticated levels. Readers, who enjoy poetry, are smart
enough to figure out what a writer is trying to communicate by rereading the
work several times, or by looking things up. Understandably, there are times
when the writing is so personal that readers can’t relate. With ekphrastic
poetry, they may get a clue. A photograph, drawing or a video is described in
detail, as a moment to share, thus making it even easier to understand. In
simple language: it’s poetry written
about a picture.
Anyway,
This brings me to the works of Dante
Rossetti, an artist who lived from 1828-1882. All his paintings feature women
with the most interesting expressions. His paintings remain so inspiring that I
think I could write a poem about all of them. He was in fact, hired to
illustrate poetry books and he also wrote romantic sonnets. Mere words however,
would certainly fall short of his delicate portrayal of
the gorgeous beauties
he painted. Still, someday, I’d like to attempt a few ekphrastic poems on the
whims, personal thoughts and deepest desires of his glorious subjects. Maybe a
publisher should put together a poetry anthology based on this idea because
everyone’s perspective on these attractive ladies would be original.
Have
you ever written an ekphrastic poem?
I've not heard the term before.
ReplyDeleteI think there's a Rossetti or two in our National Gallery.
I do not write poetry anymore. I wrote a few pieces and everyone told me how bad they were.
ReplyDeleteI've never even written a regular poem. That's a new word to me.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should be the one to push for such an anthology.
I can't recall having ever written that type of poem, but I don't recall ever having heard the term before. I can see how a remarkable work of art could be a viable inspiration for a poet.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I have never written an ekphrastic poem. I struggle to write any poem. I've included poetry in my novels, but my husband has written them!
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time I have heard the term. I do love to write poetry and have written a lot of it in my life. I don't think I have written this type.
ReplyDelete~Jess