In this February’s issue of Visual Verse, the image is a surprising one, especially for those of us who like piglets. It’s by Tom or Judy Moore, a drawing rather than a photograph, and it was a bit of a challenge to write a poem in the given hour. My poem is on page 16. […]
Tag: Ekphrastic poetry
The Fencing in of Rainbows
The first Visual Verse image of the year by Michael Easterling was beautiful but tricky. My poem in January’s Visual Verse is on page 33. As always, I recommend reading all the poems in the issue but, if you want to go straight to mine, it’s called ‘The Fencing in of Rainbows‘. You can also […]
Hat
I have just received a lovely early Christmas present – my fifty-first poem in Visual Verse! It’s inspired by an amazing image by Oscar Ukonu and is on page 47. I recommend reading all the poems in the issue but, if you want to go straight to mine, here’s the link. You can also read the […]
What happened to the freedom of the sky?
I’m happy to have another poem in this month’s Visual Verse: An Anthology of Art and Words, Volume 8, Chapter 1, for which the image is an unusual one, a cartoon by John Samuel Pughe/Library of Congress. As ever, I’m in good company with Misky, Anmol and Kerfe, to name a few. Why not read […]
Medusa’s Demise
The metallic stench of blood slicks the rockand tickles the throat. No wonder snakes suffocate the silence with their incessant hiss.Some break away, alarmed by the cold kiss of death; some curl and spiral, others loopand tie themselves in knots. Spattered drupes of carmine, like red snakes’ eyes, gleam –Medusa no longer has the power […]
Self-Cultivation During the Pandemic
I’m delighted to have another poem in Visual Verse Volume 7 Chapter 12. This time the ekphrastic inspiration came from an unusual image by Jemima Muir. As usual, my poem is in great company. You can find it on page 26 or you can go straight to ‘Self-Cultivation During the Pandemic‘. Linked to dVerse Poets […]
Gentileschi’s Judith
You pin him down,you and your maid,in the dark shroud of the general’s tent. Oil lamp flareilluminates one bareshoulder, exposing the seductive skinand black hollow of your breasts;muscle-bound arms belie your femininity. Sweet revenge gives strength to slicethrough flesh, muscle and spine,fingers of one hand entangledin hair and beard,in the other handa sword. He offers […]
Insects and Stars in Jars
I have a poem in this month’s issue of Visual Verse, in which writers have been inspired by an image by Helen Marten. Once again, I’m in excellent company. You can find my poem on page 45 of Visual Verse Volume 7 Chapter 11 or you can go directly to the poem, entitled ‘Insects and […]
Ox Head
They said he was untameable and afraid of his own shadow,branded skittish with an ox head,none could soothe his rodeo. The gentling of Bucephalus began with the gentle whispersand flourished into fraternitywithout saddle, reins or spurs. They camped under starless skies,future king and Thessalian steed,faced the sting of metaland watched men bleed. Too many men and horses […]
The Leap
I have a poem in this month’s issue of Visual Verse, in which writers have been inspired by an image by Andi Sapey and Other Dance Art. I’m in great company again, with poets such as Misky Braendeholm and Sarah Connor. You can find my poem on page 22 of Visual Verse Volume 7 Chapter […]
