Featuring cherita!


June 15, 2018

Poetry Friday--Return of the Ekphrastic Cherita!

For the entire month of April I posted ekphrastic cherita, that is, art (the cherita, a poem) about art (a painting or drawing). I love browsing The Athenaeum in a search for works that speaks to me, and I enjoy writing the poems they inspire. Here are two that imagine a story about the painting's artist:


"Cat Lying in front of a Bouquet of Flowers" (1919) by Suzanne Valadon [1865-1938].

artist paints her cat

she keeps up
a one-way conversation

'til a plaintive
meow lets her know
it's time


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.


"Self Portrait" (1909) by Susan S. Watkins [1875-1913].

painting a self-portrait

great seriousness
or a smile

her internal dialog
over which one is
the least deceitful


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Karen Edmisten* will be playing hostess with the mostess for this week's Poetry Friday Round-Up.

20 comments:

  1. These are beautiful! I love how you can evoke so much in just a few lines. I've tried a few cherita and have found it is much harder than you make it look!

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    1. As my late mother always used to say, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try, again."

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  2. Love that painting with the cat, and it is fun to imagine just how long the 'subject' will stay. In the second, the self-portrait questioning is interesting. Her lips seem ready to smile! I love your observation, Diane.

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    1. I like the painting too, the placement of the front paws kind of looks like the cat is kneading the textile beneath it. I believe it is perfectly happy--for the moment...

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  3. both last lines are spot on for the cherita. LOVE your take on the paintings. And, the website is amazing! Thanks for reminding me of that.

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  4. Love the art AND the cheritas, Diane! I think I know that cat. xo

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    1. Every cat is different, yet, they are all the same. One of life's great paradoxes.

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  5. Diane, the painting your chose to create your cherita were very interesting compositions but the way your crafted your story had me rereading each poem several times to study the format. I am interested in this poetic form that flows beautifully from your pen.

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    1. I always write my cherita one line, two lines, three lines, but cherita may also be written 3-2-1, 1-3-2, 2-3-1, 3-1-2, 2-1-3!

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  6. Both delightful, Diane. Looking forward to more ekphrastic cheritas!

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    1. I've got some ready for the next two Fridays! I'm on a roll.

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  7. You captured the captive cat perfectly. And I like your questioning in the second cherita. Beautiful art, thanks Diane!

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  8. Both poems capture the subject so well, Diane...thank you for sharing the cherita form, as you've reminded me I need to tackle it one of these days!

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    1. There are certain forms that people naturally are attracted to, perhaps cherita is not your form? I can list a whole bunch of forms that I'll never tackle!

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  9. Fun to read your self-portrait poem after the one Ruth shared!

    (You are rocking the ekphrastic cheritas! Collection? Publication?)

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    1. I love ekphrasis because it's always a way to be original without having to come up with a topic on your own.

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  10. I'll check out the Athenaeum. Cheritas are hard! But you make them look easy ... the sign of a master!

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  11. I love how you have your lady in the hat struggling with her own facial expression. Your poem gives her so much personality.

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