Ekphrastic April, Day 17: "Afterglow"

 

"Afterglow" (1914) by Florence H. McGillivray [1864–1938].

 

when the sun seems
to breathe its last

there is an afterglow

and fantastical words--
crepuscular, vespertine--
describe its creatures

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 16: "At the Dressing Table"

 

"At the Dressing Table. Self-Portrait" (1909) by Zinaida Serebriakova [1884-1967].

 

whites and tints
highlight the triangle

of terracotta and
auburn with her face
at its apex

she lives her art

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

 

 

Ekphrastic April, Day 15: "Blooming Apple-trees. The Trees are in Blossom"

 

"Blooming apple-trees. The trees are in blossom" (1899) by Maria Yakunchikova [1870-1902].

apple trees in bloom

spring, albeit briefly,
perfumes the air

in a few months the scent
of over-ripe apples will
languish through autumn

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 14: "Lady Affixing Pennant to a Knight's Spear"

Today's artist is more famous as being the model for others' work.  Perhaps most recognizable is the portrayal of her as "Ophelia" by John Everett Millais.  Her husband, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, was a well-known poet and artist, so I imagine it may have been a struggle to get herself recognized as a poet and artist, too.  Read a fascinating BBC article here.

 

 "Lady Affixing Pennant to a Knight's Spear" by Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal [1829-1862].

 

sidestep the vicissitudes
of physical beauty

dare to become
a person of artistic
accomplishments

the impossibilities, endless

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. 

Ekphrastic April, Day 13: "The Tiff"

 

"The Tiff" (c. 1902) by Florence Carlyle [1864-1923].

 

I do not mind sulking

it gives us both the time
to think--him about
the unkind thing he said

me about the apologetic
kisses he will soon offer

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. 

 

Ekphrastic April, Day 12: "Bathing Baby"

 

"Bathing Baby" by Elanor Colburn [1866-1939].

 

if only she would sit
in the water without
that sodden rabbit

bathing baby

requires patience

and many many towels

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. 

Ekphrastic April, Day 11: "Skaters"

 

"Skaters" by Marianne von Werefkin [1860-1938].

 

ice skating

at night I think of myself
as a dark presence flying

over the ice snatching
bits of private conversations
like a bat catches mosquitoes

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.