What's going on asked us to write an ekphrastic poem 'Ekphrastic poetry has now come to be defined as poems written about works of art. Along with this, it usually includes how the speaker is impacted by his or her experience with the work.'
I have a framed poster of this painting in my house. It is painted by a local named Jan Rasmussen of Oxford Terrace in Christchurch and it was painted before the earthquake
Oxford Terrace
The Bridge of Remembrance
smiles over golden cafes,
while the earth hums softly beneath.
A man in a red jacket
chats in golden light
as if the day itself
were shaped not by hours,
but by blue sky,
red and aqua parasols,
ochre and amber leaves,
buildings and flowerpots,
clinking glasses,
voices deepening like sunlight.
A lone table mirrors flowers,
and the crisp white of a man’s shirt,
savouring the quiet pleasures of life.
The city’s warmth drifts in,
settling gently into my mood,
painting a smile across my face
like colour on a canvas.
Your words paint a serene before scene. I was struck with how "… the earth hums softly beneath", knowing that all can appear peaceful on the surface until the hum turns into something else.
ReplyDeleteyes Maria A peaceful scene, a memory turned into something else It both has its place
DeleteYou've really taken us into this wonderful painting - I love the peaceful scene which makes what came after all the more devastating - Jae
ReplyDelete"savouring the quiet pleasures of life" in sharp contrast to the Bridge of Remembrance!
ReplyDeleteOh, you draw the picture so well. The earth turns, seize the day, don't forget. A beautiful poem.
What a wonderfully atmospheric poem you have written. So much rich detail. Makes me want to escape into the painting!
ReplyDeleteWhile life was flowing with its usual vibrant colors and moods and laughter and joy the earth hummed softly beneath. Goosebumps. Everything is so vulnerable! Thank you for introducing us to Jan Rasmussen's work.
ReplyDeleteYou took me right into the painting, and so beautifully. I love the name "The Bridge of Remembrance"...love all the colours and, mostly, the feeling of calm well-being that your poem invokes. Lovely.
ReplyDelete...outdoor dining is in our past now!
ReplyDelete