Ekphrastic poetry is a verbal description of visual art. Using vivid imagery, these poems interpret, reflect, imagine, and ‘speak out’ the story behind the art through deep observation.

Key Aspects

Origin: The term Ekphrastic comes from the Greek, ek (“out”) and phrazein(“to speak”), meaning to speak out a visual scene.

Purpose: It is a form that aims to establish a connection between visual arts and poetry. It opens up numerous avenues to explore themes, narratives, and emotions.

Techniques: Poets may imagine the story behind the work of art, describe it, or experiment with perspectives of the people/objects in the artwork.

A notable example of Ekphrastic poetry is “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats.

 

How to write Ekphrastic poetry?

SELECT

Select a piece of artwork that seems to speak to you.

STUDY & OBSERVE

Observe it closely.  Note the expression of the subjects, colours used, mood, settings, weather or any other detail that adds value to the artwork.

INTERPRET

Imagine the story behind the artwork and bridge the gaps in the story through your interpretation.

ENHANCE

Add sensory details, imagery, and emotions, and make it breathe with life. You may add rhyme and rhythm to make it lyrical.

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ART CHOSEN :

Young Lovers Walking Together under an Umbrella in a Snow Storm by Suzuki Harunobu.

• Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725–1770)
• Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
• Date: ca. 1769
• Culture: Japan
• Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Here’s more about the artwork chosen;
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45085

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Here’s my ekphrastic poem ;

TITLE : SOULFUL SONGS ‘MIDST SNOWSTORM 

The winds may be harsh, winter ruthless,
My love! In each other’s company let’s seek solace,
Perhaps spring is dormant, and the blooms are in a deep slumber,
But the garden of love that we’ve nurtured shall flourish forever,
The icy boughs are mirrors that witness the stories of our soul,
The snow clad landscape reflects the pristine moments that make us whole,
In the hushed stillness, even silence seems sweet,
Time comes to standstill as our longing eyes meet,
The world may fail to fathom the harbored feelings between us,
And question the paths we chose throwing words heartless,
How can I bear to see your flowing tears that seem to have transformed into a deluge!
Come, let’s solemnise our bond beneath this umbrella that offers refuge,
Letting the flawed world be masked by endless yards of snow,
Our elixir of love will chart a gilded course
and flow,
The sands of time can never erase the stories we crochet,
Our timeless vignettes shalt outshine any vile plot of destiny that looms in hues grey.

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