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 
a woman could warm
herself merely by lying
wow, David! how unique your take and how sharp you turned this poem!
❤ ❤ thanks so much, Rosema ❤ ❤
Beautiful imagery!
❤ ❤ Dana ❤ ❤ – thank you so much!
Yours,
David
So beautiful… I love this one!
❤ Thanks, Lia ❤ – your appreciation and kindness are precious to me.
🙂
David
P.S. I feel like this is more in the style of your poetry than my pieces tend to be.
Well I feel honoured by that comment David… I did not think it when I commented, but either way, I love the poem, which to me felt like your voice, truly. And I like that you write about a “she” with care, and “perhaps”-edly; i.e. somewhat unassuming. It feels daring but respectful and kindly!
Oh! I did enjoy this one! So lyrical.
😍🖤 Jane 🖤😍
xx
lovely!!
❤ Awww, thanks, Worms ❤
-David
This is a nicely crafted poem and the line breaks work really well
❤ ❤ thanks so much, Paul! ❤ ❤
All best,
David
The imagery and repetition of certain phrases lends a sort of surreal flavor to this scene. Some really striking wordsmithing you’ve accomplished here, good sir! 🙂
I was imagining the artist herself lying down in her painting, looking up at sky…
a wonderfully penned poem.
🤎🤗 Roger 🤗🤎
Wow! I love the turn of phrase and the description of this woman (Earth mother? Gaia? Spring?)!!
💗💚 Muri 💚💗
Beautiful line breaks that really give so many double meanings here. This was stellar, David.
🤍💓 KH 💓🤍
A beautiful poem, David. In tune with mother nature, with a gentle rhythm that matches the subject and setting. 💛
💕🖤 Michele 🖤💕
What great images to accompany the painting, David. Beauty in the barren! Well done.
dwight
💙💟 Dwight 💟💙