Ekphrastic April, Day 4: "The Boston Sunday Herald: Easter"

 "The Boston Sunday Herald: Easter" (1895) by Ethel Reed [1874-1912] 

 

a happy Easter!

 

just 21 years of age
and making a living

my bills are being
posted around Boston
--the world is next

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

 

Ethel Reed quickly became an illustrator of note in the mid-1890s.  She created posters (then known as handbills or bills), book covers, and illustrations.  She had turned 21 on March 13, 1895 and Easter was on April 14 that year.  Sadly, she passed away in 1912.

Ekphrastic April, Day 3: "Peace Monument and U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C."

I don't believe I've used a photograph in my prior three years of Ekphrastic April posts.  Nor have I included living artists since I only use works in the public domain, but, after yesterday's incident at the US Capitol, I'm using a photograph by a living woman!  Carol M. Highsmith has donated her work to the Library of Congress and has designated them in the public domain.  The photo I selected, "Peace Monument and U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C." is reflective of April 2021 when once again we weep and wish for peace.

 

"Peace Monument and U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C." (between 1980 and 2006) by Carol M. Highsmith [1946-].

 

this year of debility

many misguided souls
see the people's house
as a fortress to be scaled

we trust it will not crumble
under the weight of fear

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 2: "At Granny's"

 

 

"At Granny's" by Helen Allingham [1848-1926].

 

a visit with Granny

the kettle always on
a bannock and a pot
of jam at the ready

her tales would make
even the spiders blush

 
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

 

Ekphrastic April, Day 1: "Monet's Dining Room at Giverny (Tea)"

Welcome to Day 1 of the 2021 edition of Ekphrastic April in celebration of National Poetry Month. Come back each day during April for works of art created by women, each one is accompanied by an original cherita inspired by the work. The poem may describe the picture, be an emotional reaction to it, relate to the creator of the art, or any of the various ways art can inspire.

Haiku Sticky and Happy Haiga Day! posts will resume in May.

 

"Monet's Dining Room at Giverny (Tea)" by Blanche Hoschedé-Monet [1865-1947].

  

by the calendar
winter is gone

spring is tarrying

let's take matters
into our own hands
and make sunshine 

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

Haiku Sticky #591

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Text:

I sip my coffee
each morning in March
 
outside the window
 
swelling buds redden
turn to gold, chartreuse,
then full-on spring

 

Happy Haiga Day!

Fellow poet, Tabatha Yeatts, will be featuring poems in two languages for National Poetry Month, which starts on Thursday.  She asked readers of her blog to contribute a short poem.  Read more here.  Here is my attempt, illustrated, of course.

 

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Text:

windows
open again in spring--oh!
...the barking, barking

les fenêtres
s'ouvrent à nouveau au printemps--oh!
...les aboiements, les aboiements

 

 

Haiku Sticky #590

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Text:  

definition of paradox

my second dose of vaccine
delivered by a member
of the military

I've marched against
war for fifty years