Ekphrastic April, Day 25: "The Sands of Life"

"The Sands of Life" by Mary Curtis Richardson [1848-1931].

the sand box

mother dreams
of beaches

babe discovers the
principle of gravity
on her own

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 24: "The Writer"

The lovely painting below was created by a woman who was born in the town in which I work. Mary Bradish Titcomb, born in Windham, NH in 1856, became a teacher in its small country school. She then headed down to the Boston area to teach before moving on to fulfill her destiny as an American impressionist painter*. Titcomb died in 1927 and was buried in Windham.

"The Writer" (circa 1912) by Mary Bradish Titcomb [1856-1927].

we, who cannot travel

force bulbs surrounding
ourselves with fragrance

under a sunny window
we almost believe what we write
to those who are traveling

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

*A sad note: much of Titcomb's work, put into storage, was destroyed in a warehouse fire.

Ekphrastic April, Day 23: "Dolls"

"Dolls" by Jacqueline Marval [1866-1903].

Grandma's guest room

grandkids tasked
with disposing of her junk

the pile
of playthings no one
will touch


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 22: "Self Portrait with Candles"

"Self Portrait with Candles" (1910) by Lily Delissa Joseph [1863-1940].

in the dark

she whistles
but is no longer afraid

the self-portrait
finished, she realizes she
knows who she is

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 21: "Teresa Gathering Pansies:

"Teresa Gathering Pansies" by Laura Theresa Alma-Tadem [1852-1909].

the nanny, her arms full

Teresa wanders off
to the patch of pansies

she begs
forgiveness before
beheading each one

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Poetry Friday--Ekphrastic April, Day 20: "Wash Day--A Back Yard Reminiscence of Brooklyn"

I was first attracted to this painting for its subject matter--hanging laundry. I grew up in a time before dryers became prolific and laundry was hung on a line to dry. I have fond memories of fragrantly fresh, but stiff, towels, and of mothers gossiping over a fence as they attended to their laundry. Secondly, I was stopped in my tracks by this part of the title: "Reminiscence of Brooklyn." Although I wasn't around in 1912, I didn't think Brooklyn, NY would have looked like that!

I found that the artist, Ada Walter Shulz, was from the Mid-West and spent the greater part of her life in Brown County, Indiana. So, a little research led to a Brooklyn, Indiana, in Morgan County. Morgan County shares a corner with Brown County.

"Wash Day--A Back Yard Reminiscence of Brooklyn" (1912) by Ada Walter Shulz [1870-1928].

wash day

can there be anything
more perfect--

warm sun
soft breezes and
a willing helper

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

National Poetry Month delights abound, visit The Opposite of Indifference where Tabatha is rounding up the poetry links for today. And, if you haven't visited yet, head over to the Team Imperfect blog for its book birthday!

Ekphrastic April, Day 19: "Girl with Cat in the Birch Forest"

"Girl with Cat in the Birch Forest" (circa 1905) by Paula Modersohn-Becker [1876-1907].

they do not love me

I will run away
deep into the forest

within the birches
no one is there to holler
if the cream is licked

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.