poetry

Ekphrastic Etheree

Sally

A year ago I didn’t know either of those words. Here are the definitions

  • Ekphrastic — a written response to a visual work of art
  • Etheree — syllabic poetry that has 10 lines, with the syllable count 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 –Mine is a Reverse Etheree because the syllable count goes 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

Tanka Tuesday prompt asks us to write an Ekphrastic Poem in response to this work of art: Eugene Manet on the Isle of Wight, 1875 by Berthe Morisot

And here’s my reverse etheree:

The world is a parade past my window
Strolling, walking, marching, riding past
Some in groups, trios, pairs, alone
Chatting, whistling, silent
An unsteady nonrush
I watch quietly
Inside my home
Unobserved
And sip
Tea

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Published by Sally

26 thoughts on “Ekphrastic Etheree”

    1. Thanks, Colleen! I had looked up — again — how to write an ekphrastic poem. This time I tried to focus on what exactly do I see and choosing a specific point of view to write from.

      Reply

  6. Sally, this is well done. I have been so scared to try an etheree because starting with one syllable makes me uncomfortable. But reversing the order works so beautifully!!!

    Reply
  13. Pingback: #TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 336, 9/5/23: Synonyms Only – Word Craft Poetry

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