An ekphrastic poem
barren skeletal trees and snow-
covered, distant peaks speak
of winter, more than mere hints
belied by golden hillsides as though -
as though - a woman could warm
herself merely by lying
down upon them, though
whether she rested her back there;
upon the stubborn green grass; rough,
rocky hills; or silent snow,
she would note, of course -
of course - azure 'tween the clouds
d’Verse poetics prompt:
‘Fay Collins revisited’
At d’Verse, poets were encouraged to write ekphrastic poems inspired by the art of Fay Collins, who tragically developed cancer during lockdown and died in September this year.
I chose a striking painting of Fay’s titled ‘3 Trees at Coniston’. Coniston is, apparently, a village and civil parish in the Furness region of Cumbria, England.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The skeptic's kaddish 
David,
You take up the painting’s invitation to linger on the “golden hillsides” and gaze at the azure sky, and we with you. Lovely.
Pax,
Dora
😘🤎 Dora 🤎😘
This is such delicate, inviting imagery David. Excellent, bravo!
🙏🏻💝 Rob 💝🙏🏻
‘whether she rested her back there;’ Love that line in particular. I believe she did indeed rest her back there! I used the same painting as it spoke to me also.
🧡💞 Carol 💞🧡
Enjoyed your take, nice touch at the end, looking upward for that “azure ‘tween the clouds.” 😍
💜💘 Tricia 💘💜
Well this is you at your best…..stunning..stunning lines…just stunning, the description, then the unexpected…like that “as though a woman could warm herself by merely lying” a beautiful first stanza…all of it…
🤍💓 Ain 💓🤍
Filled to the brim. (K)
💖❤️ Kerfe ❤️💖
A beautiful picture and poem that compliments its beauty
💕🖤 Lauren 🖤💕
You wrote a cluster of wildflower words and wanton emotions. You seemed to translate every line and hue of the painting into your own imagery beautifully. The woman lying midst golden blooms is haunting.
💙😍 Glenn 😍💙
This is incredibly gorgeous writing, David 😀 sigh … you took me there 💝💝
🥰🤎 Sanaa 🤎🥰
A beautiful response, love what you did. That was the picture I thought I would write to at first but at the end it became another.
💟💚 Björn 💚💟
Oh, that’s really beautiful, David. I don’t know what you’ve done, but you’ve made me cry.
💛💝 Sarah 💝💛
That is correct David, and I was there this very day! Love your ekphrastic response ❤️
💗🧡 Ingrid 🧡💗