Ekphrastic April, Day 6: "Bird's Nest in Cattails"

 

"Bird's Nest in Cattails" (1875) by Fidelia Bridges [1834-1923].

 

spring heralded by
red-winged blackbirds

co-ka keeeeeeee

nests in the cattails rock
hatchlings to the rhythm
co-ka keeeeeeee

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.  

Ekphrastic April, Day 5: "Les volets clos"

 

 "Les volets clos" (c. 1900) by Elizabeth Nourse [1859-1938].  The title translates into English as "The Closed Shutters."

 

shutters closed

decorum is simply
a part of growing old

that's what I tell myself
as I look for new ways
to conceal age's effects

 

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

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