Chiseled jaw, high cheekbones.
Tired eyes glance sideways,
energy depleted. Joyless.
Her exquisitely shaped lips
rouged deepest red.
Closed, not pursed, yet somehow gentle.
Dark tendrils hang beside her face,
drooping as if exhausted.
Indigo headscarf appears torn.
Disheveled from constant wear
or symbolic of war torn life.
Blues bleed pale into background.
Not thickened red of blood
but bleeding nonetheless.
One lustrous pearl earring hangs coldly,
boldly iridescent in a palette of darkness.
Did she really wear it for the sitting?
Or is it the artist’s one defiant stroke?
Written for Open Link Night at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe.
Image from Pixabay.com
Want to hear and watch poets from around the globe read a poem aloud? Come join us as I host dVerse LIVE on Saturday, June 21st from 10 to 11 AM Boston time. Last time I hosted, we had folks from Sweden, Pakistan, all across the US, Kenya, the UK, Australia, South Africa, and Trinidad Tobago! Come read a poem of your own or just sit in to listen. We’re a friendly bunch. The more the merrier!
To join us LIVE on Saturday, June 21st from 10 to 11 AM Boston time, just click here and scroll down to the LIVE LINK. Hope to see you there!
lillian the home poet 
An amazing capture, Lill, and I love the use of colour! This alliterative line is so effective:
‘Blues bleed pale into background’
and
‘One lustrous pearl earring hangs coldly,
boldly iridescent in a palette of darkness.’
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Absolutely marvellous!
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The painting is stunning and your words bring this woman to life!
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Yes, there are many layers of story in that image – and in your rich and silky unravelling of it, Lillian.
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Your poem is a careful study of the subject. I particularly like the last 4 lines. Scarlett merged a famous painting makes good poetry fodder.
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I love the question about the earring since it stands out so noticeably but doesn’t necessarily fit with the picture, it wouldn’t be missed had it not been there.
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This is incredibly stunning work done, Lillian! Wow! So much to admire especially;
“One lustrous pearl earring hangs coldly, boldly iridescent in a palette of darkness.” I was wondering about that too! ❤️❤️
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You’ve described her well! That earring does pop out, like a defiant statement, a light spot in contrast to the darker elements of the image. Well told.
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I love what you did with the picture, Lillian. So many questions as we look at this beautiful girl. I was captivated by her when I read through your prompt today.
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What a juicy poem, Lillian! Beautiful writing.
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Fantastic ekphrastic, L! Merci.
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You have captured her story as it bleeds across the page. The one pearl earring symbolic of purity and innocence even though we can sense she has had a difficult journey in life.
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There is a tension in your poem that perfectly captures the resonance of the art.
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Love your surprise switch at the end.
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An intriguing image indeed – to which you add more intrigue.
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A thought provoking poem, Lillian.
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You show how ekphrastic is done Lillian – mesmerising…
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I like the use of defiant in the final line, bringing in the truth that the artist controls the reality of the image.
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A wonderful exploration of the image. Your final question lingers, Lillian. The painting is so dark–and that pearl earring does seem defiant.
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