Ferrying
“We’re all working for the Pharaoh”–Richard Thompson
A body
in motion through air–
static, turn-
ing, turning,
sparks reflected on water–
turning into earth–
Adjacent
to the sky, do bones
become light?–
currents that
connect flesh to elements,
inseparable,
Opening
until unseen—sounds
felt, not heard–
veins branching
like trees carrying cells that
nourish, then destroy—
A sudden
change in direction,
drowning and
coming up for
more—impossible to tell
what is or isn’t—
Undarking
the night, withering
the sun—what
grows secret,
exposed by shadow?—what grows
wings, rises, takes flight?
This was a response to the challenge image above at The Ekphrastic Review. I immediately thought of 2 things: the world’s refugees attempting to reach safety by boat, and Richard Thompson’s song “Pharaoh”.
My poem wasn’t chosen, but it inspired a collage in the spirit of my thoughts if not exactly a match to my words. The winning poems posted on The Ekprastic Review can be found here.
And Richard Thompson…
This is an extraordinary poem, Kerfe.
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Thanks so much Robbie.
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What a cool image, poem, inspiration. So many “aah” moments as I read. 🙂
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Thanks Diana. There is inspiration all around us!
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That closing — what so many wonder.
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over and over
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I have chills, I’m so moved by your poem and image.
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Thanks Sharon.
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Eloquent images, vivid words – got me thinking of those less fortunate.
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Thanks Dave. I can’t seem to get the refugees out of my mind. Perhaps because our President can’t stop demonizing them in an effort to distract us from his incompetence.
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Hard to maintain principles in these slippery times but essential to try. The amoral are always ready to exploit any vacuum.
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Indeed they are.
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All the strands coming together—through time and space.
I like your questions at the end.
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Thanks Merril. More questions, as always.
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Inspiring and profound poetic splendor, Marta. Lovely collage too. Great poem.
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Thanks Marta.
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Welcome.
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