It’s very rare that I respond to internet challenges on blog sites, but I’m enjoying the #PoetryChallenge of #TankaTuesday over at [Wordcraft Poetry] the blog of Colleen M Chesebro. This weeks Tanka Tuesday involves writing an Ekphrastic poem focused on the painting “The Lady of The Snows” by George Henry Broughton (1833-1905). And …. writing it in syllabic form which in my case means a Haiku/Senryu.
So here goes, what do I see with my “third eye” in this painting? Comments always welcome, please be gentle!
“What meaning lies wrapped
The Two Doctors
in white fur and red velvet
Bright blood on pure snow”
[Ekphrastic poetry has come to be defined as poems written about works of art; however, in ancient Greece, the term ekphrasis was applied to the skill of describing a thing with vivid detail. One of the earliest examples of ekphrasis can be found in Homer’s epic poem The Iliad, in which the speaker elaborately describes the shield of Achilles in nearly 150 poetic lines]
The Two Doctors 
Dr. B may be as simple she wants her soft hands to be protected from cold as she looks royal 🤣😍😜💅
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Thank you Dr S ! I don’t do simple 🤣🤣
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Powerful poem, Dr. B. Exquisite imagery.
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Thanks Gwen, somewhat dark though!
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Wow, Doc ~ that was unexpected! Somebody, call Hercule Poirot! 😀
❤
David
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Wow, this one packed a perfect image punch!
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Wow to your wow, and thank you 🙏 🕉
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Your haiku is lovely, and the last line is wonderful!
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So much said in so few words with a bit of mystery as well! Great poem, Dr. B!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you, I must have stared at the painting for a couple of hours for the mystery to arrive🙏🙏
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What a powerful senryu, Dr. B. I looked to her clothes and the color “red” for more meaning. She certainly seems overdressed for a visit to the beach in winter. I loved the last line… there is a mystery here. Did she murder someone? Is the blood her’s, or—does the bright blood hint at her “royal lineage?” Well done!! I try to offer a new prompt each week, so I hope you will visit again.
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Thank you, praise indeed from a master! I am trying hard to find my creative side late in life, I’ll be a regular now. Your book arrived today, I’m finishing off a book on zen poetry then I’ll get into it. Thank you for your encouragement 🙏🙏🕉
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Good for you! Writing Poetry keeps us young and our minds active. There’s so much to learn. Have fun and thank you again.
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A lot of story in few words, Dr B!
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Thank you so much. 🙏 I am quite surprised how such a last line popped into my head as I really am a haiku novice and never been much for poetry of any kind. 🙏🙏🕉
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You’re very welcome. Must be beginner’s luck 😉
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I like the mystery hinted at here 💜
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Thank you, it did seem like a mystery as to why a lady was dressed like that on a beach unless there was some hidden meaning.
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I see a beach or shore of a lake but in winter …that to me explains her attire. But the story is in the eye of the beholder isn’t it 💜
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Absolutely, it’s the same with wine tasting and how our brain interprets the sensory inputs.
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Yes indeed… I like red wine , 🍷 I know what I like and what I don’t and really others might think my choices are off 🙂
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Love your interpretation ❤
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Thank you so much, I pondered for quite some time trying to go beyond the painting itself and all I could think of was something red on snow ….. and ….. voila!
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Very good. I love how you interpreted the painting in such few words.
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Thanks Darlene, not how everyone would have interpreted it 🤣
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That’s the beauty of Ekphrastic poetry, everyone sees something different.
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I think I’m going to like this!
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